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TikToker Arrested in Arizona Over Prank Videos: Police
WKRN ^ | Jul 28, 2025 | Jeremy Tanner

Posted on 07/28/2025 10:00:29 PM PDT by nickcarraway

Arizona police arrested a 21-year-old TikToker known for his prank videos Wednesday after he allegedly targeted several well-known chains in Tempe.

Heston Cobb, who uses the name “Heston James” on his social media channels, faces one count of burglary, two counts of criminal impersonation, five counts of disorderly conduct and five counts of criminal trespass.

Cobb is accused of orchestrating pranks on Pep Boys, Hyland Auto Repair, Big Brand Tire & Service, Jiffy Lube and Chipotle locations between March and July.

Police began investigating after local businesses complained “of a group of men coming into their store dressed as employees,” according to Tempe PD news release. “These men began seriously disrupting their businesses by entering employee-only areas and refusing to leave when asked.”

The Heston James TikTok account has been deleted, but his apparent official YouTube and Instagram accounts are still live, with over 78,000 subscribers and 1.2 million followers, respectively. Nexstar’s NewsNation reports that Cobb’s TikTok account had 1.6 million followers.

A reposted “Heston James” video on TikTok purportedly shows Cobb showing up at a Target store, claiming to have been sent over with a large group of employees to help at the location.

When the crew of fake Target employees enters the store, some wearing convincing red shirts and apparent Target lanyards, the actual employees try to put a stop to the prank.

“Do not let them on the lanes,” says an employee who identifies himself as the store director. “You guys do not work here, you guys need to get out.”

Another series of video shorts posted to Cobb’s YouTube channel shows Cobb and others “pranking” store workers by screaming in the aisles and then pretending not to have done it.

Police said Cobb’s own videos, which garnered millions of views, ultimately linked him to the pattern of disturbances. On Wednesday, police arrested him at his home and served a search warrant.

Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office officials told Nexstar Monday that Cobb was released on bond July 25.


TOPICS: Computers/Internet; Hobbies; Local News
KEYWORDS: arizona; hestonjames; prank; tiktoker

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1 posted on 07/28/2025 10:00:29 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

This is criminal mischief, not a prank.


2 posted on 07/28/2025 10:06:47 PM PDT by Don W (When blacks riot, neighborhoods and cities burn. When whites riot, nations and continents burn)
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To: nickcarraway
Brilliant!!


3 posted on 07/28/2025 10:07:53 PM PDT by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the Days of Lot; They did Eat, They Drank, They Bought, They Sold ......)
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To: nickcarraway

[[, faces one count of burglary, two counts of criminal impersonation, five counts of disorderly conduct and five counts of criminal trespass]]

Wow- he must not be an illegal alien, otherwise there would be no charges at all.


4 posted on 07/28/2025 10:10:24 PM PDT by Bob434 (Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana)
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To: nickcarraway

It’s nice that these jerks were arrested, but what they really desperately need is a series of throat-punches from their fellow citizens.


5 posted on 07/28/2025 10:14:09 PM PDT by NorthMountain (... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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To: nickcarraway

6 posted on 07/28/2025 10:15:50 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
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To: SaveFerris

It’s always fun acting like an ahole, being an “influencer,” until you end up in jail. Unfortunately there’ll be no follow up coverage, but I’m predicting probation as a suspended sentence, but he won’t be allowed to operate his channels while in probation


7 posted on 07/28/2025 10:16:08 PM PDT by j.havenfarm (24 years on Free Republic, 12/10/24! More than 10,500 replies and still not shutting up!)
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To: Don W

Exactly.


8 posted on 07/28/2025 10:24:06 PM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as)
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To: SaveFerris

What the.... Vinnie Barbarino.... frack.


9 posted on 07/28/2025 10:34:13 PM PDT by LastDayz (A Blunt and Brazen Texan. I Will Not Be Assimilated.)
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To: j.havenfarm

In-N-Out is suing one idiot

They will win, too


10 posted on 07/28/2025 11:39:32 PM PDT by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the Days of Lot; They did Eat, They Drank, They Bought, They Sold ......)
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To: LastDayz

He thought the fun would never end

And then ... it did


11 posted on 07/28/2025 11:41:10 PM PDT by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the Days of Lot; They did Eat, They Drank, They Bought, They Sold ......)
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To: j.havenfarm

That’s a lot of charges. Got a burglary charge....depending on how serious the burglary (weapons, etc) is, If incarcerated could be more than a few years in the can. Add to the other charges...dude could have ruined his life.


12 posted on 07/29/2025 12:16:56 AM PDT by Getready (Wisdom is more valuable than gold and harder to find. )
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To: LastDayz

lol!


13 posted on 07/29/2025 1:56:53 AM PDT by captnemo1 (online since 1983 not being younger just smarter)
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To: All

TikTok needs to charged as an accessory.


14 posted on 07/29/2025 2:09:01 AM PDT by newnhdad (Our new motto: USA, it was fun while it lasted.)
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To: nickcarraway

Brat needs a caning, Singapore style.


15 posted on 07/29/2025 4:15:24 AM PDT by A_perfect_lady (The greatest wealth is to live content with little. -Plato)
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To: Getready

(Heston Cobb, who uses the name “Heston James” on his social media channel

faces one count of burglary,
two counts of criminal impersonation,
five counts of disorderly conduct and
five counts of criminal trespass.)

Wow burglary too


16 posted on 07/29/2025 4:48:46 AM PDT by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the Days of Lot; They did Eat, They Drank, They Bought, They Sold ......)
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To: SaveFerris

Not even close


17 posted on 07/29/2025 5:13:30 AM PDT by Nifster ( I see puppy dogs in the clouds )
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To: SaveFerris

Anyone remember the “prankster” in a mall, harassing a smaller shopper with a cellphone in the guys face, smaller shopper shot the “prankster”?


18 posted on 07/29/2025 6:17:57 AM PDT by Spacetrucker
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To: Spacetrucker

No don’t remember

I DO know that In-N-Out is
suing one idiot with good
reason (thread on FR)


19 posted on 07/29/2025 6:34:05 AM PDT by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the Days of Lot; They did Eat, They Drank, They Bought, They Sold ......)
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To: SaveFerris

He needs an ass kicking.

L


20 posted on 07/29/2025 6:40:21 AM PDT by Lurker ( Peaceful coexistence with the Left is not possible. Stop pretending that it is.)
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