Social media challenge leads to arrest at Englewood Walmart

ENGLEWOOD, Fla. —

A man was arrested in Englewood after attempting to stay inside a Walmart for 24 hours as a part of a social media challenge.

According to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a call just after 11 p.m. Tuesday at a Walmart store on South McCall Road.

The caller told deputies that a man, identified as Isaac Hurley, 18, was actively livestreaming on TikTok inside the store after it had already closed, CCSO said.

Deputies entered the store and found Hurley in the dog bed section.

Deputies determined that Hurley had entered the store around 10:15 p.m. and intended to remain inside overnight, CCSO said.

Hurley planned to do this as part of a TikTok challenge, hoping he could earn money from viewers on TikTok while livestreaming. Hurley also removed an iPhone charger from its packaging while inside the store, according to CCSO.

Hurley was arrested and faces a charge of burglary of an occupied structure and petit theft.

“I’m not sure why people buy into these social media challenges when they are clearly encouraging you to violate the law," Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell said. "From the ‘kicking in the front door’ challenge to the destruction of public property thing a couple years ago to now something as silly as this, young people especially are putting themselves in bad situations and paying the price for it."

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.