A Florida man’s attempt to turn a viral TikTok stunt into quick cash ended the way many internet dares do: with handcuffs, charges, and a very short livestream.
According to a report from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office released to WFLA, Isaac Matthew Hurley was arrested after allegedly hiding inside a Walmart in Englewood in an effort to complete a so-called “24-hour TikTok challenge.”
The trend, popular on social media, involves participants sneaking into big-box stores after closing time and attempting to stay hidden overnight while broadcasting the experience online.
Deputies were called to the Walmart on McCall Road just after 11 p.m. following a report of a burglary in progress. When officers arrived, they discovered Hurley still inside the store — phone on, livestream active — well after closing time.
Law enforcement officials said Hurley entered the store around 10:15 p.m. with the intention of staying overnight to rack up views and potential payouts from the livestream.
His hiding spot of choice? The dog bed aisle.
During the investigation, deputies determined that Hurley removed an iPhone charging cable from its packaging while inside the store, which added a theft charge to his growing list of problems. He was taken into custody and charged with burglary of an occupied structure and petit theft.
Sheriff Bill Prummell used the incident to issue a broader warning about social media stunts gone wrong, especially those targeting younger users. “Young people especially are putting themselves in bad situations and paying the price for it,” Prummell said. He also questioned why viral challenges so often lean toward risky or illegal behavior rather than something constructive.
The “24-hour TikTok challenge” has gained traction online in recent months, with participants attempting to hide inside stores like Walmart or Target, sometimes building makeshift forts or sleeping setups.
While the videos are designed to rack up views, law enforcement agencies across the country have repeatedly warned that these stunts can quickly turn into trespassing or burglary cases.
Hurley was transported to the Charlotte County Jail and later bonded out on $1,500.