TikToker Heston James faces 9 years in jail over viral prank spree
The 21-year-old was taken into custody on July 23, 2025, after police linked him to multiple incidents where he impersonated employees at businesses including Pep Boys, Chipotle, and Jiffy Lube.
According to authorities, Cobb and his crew would dress as staff members and storm employee-only areas while filming for content. One viral video showed Cobb posing as a mechanic at Hyland Auto Repair while others crawled under customer vehicles. Another prank involved a fake cleaning crew taking over a Chipotle location, triggering a 911 call from employees.
Tempe Police say Cobb's actions go beyond humor. 'These videos are definitely not pranks,' said Officer Jessica Ells. 'They're breaking laws—this is criminal impersonation and trespassing.'
🚨 Pranks have consequences.
Tempe PD arrested influencer Heston Cobb after viral videos showed him impersonating employees and disrupting Tempe businesses.
He now faces charges including burglary, impersonation, and trespassing.
Read more: https://t.co/YHnnYr8LPH pic.twitter.com/qRSofAdq9o — Tempe Police Department (@TempePolice) July 25, 2025
Cobb now faces 13 charges, including felony burglary in the third degree, two felony counts of criminal impersonation, and 10 misdemeanors. These charges carry a potential sentence of nearly a decade behind bars and fines exceeding $315,000.
Investigators allege the stunts generated massive viewership and revenue on TikTok and Instagram. However, prosecutors are considering harsher penalties due to the repeated, monetized nature of the offenses.
The case is still under investigation, with police working to identify other individuals featured in Cobb's viral prank videos.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Express Tribune
Akon accuses former associate of fraud; Be.I fires back with counterclaims
Grammy-nominated artist Akon publicly accused a former associate, Be.I, of fraud and misrepresentation in a recent video posted online. In the clip, Akon warned the public about Be.I, calling him a 'fraud,' 'scammer,' and 'imposter,' and accused him of deceiving people under the false pretense of being affiliated with the artist's brand. 'Look at this face. He goes by the name of Be.I. He's a fraud, a scammer,' Akon said. He urged anyone who may have given Be.I money to retrieve it, warning that he 'won't deliver' and is 'going to run away with it.' Akon also emphasized that Be.I has no official ties to his companies, including Konvict Muzik and Kon Live Distribution, and is not authorized to conduct business on his behalf. Describing Be.I as a 'superfan,' Akon claimed that he gained people's trust by pretending to be part of his inner circle, calling the behavior 'evil.' In response, Be.I shared video clips of Akon previously wishing him a happy birthday, disputing the 'superfan' label. He acknowledged making 'mistakes,' but pushed back against Akon's claims, accusing the singer of having ulterior motives. Be.I suggested their fallout stemmed from a personal conflict involving a woman they were both involved with, rather than money. -Instagram. He also alluded to Akon's own controversies, including the failed Akon City project in Senegal—a planned $6 billion futuristic city powered by cryptocurrency. In May 2025, Senegalese officials confirmed the project had been canceled due to unpaid funds and halted progress. -Instagram. 'I did some dumb s###,' Be.I admitted, but claimed others in Akon's circle had done worse without facing public scrutiny. Neither party has issued further statements since the public exchange.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Express Tribune
Julian Brown safe after disappearance linked to Plastoline's threat to global oil industry
Julian Brown, the 21-year-old inventor of Plastoline, has been confirmed safe following a cryptic disappearance that sparked global concern. Brown, celebrated for developing a solar-powered microwave pyrolysis reactor that transforms plastic waste into fuel, vanished from public view after posting a 9 July 2025 Instagram video warning, 'keep me in your prayers.' The post triggered speculation across social media, with fans fearing threats linked to his groundbreaking work. Plastoline's potential to challenge the $4 trillion global oil industry has drawn both admiration and suspicion. In a March 2025 Bold Journey interview, Brown acknowledged the stakes, stating, 'This technology has major implications for all of humanity, only in the right hands.' Online discussions quickly turned to corporate sabotage theories, with one X user posting, 'The Government never likes when humans find other ways… they either make them go missing or kill them.' On 28 July, Julian's mother Nia Brown told the Daily Mail, 'I can confirm Julian is safe, but in the best interest of his security, I'm not able to provide more information.' Her statement, though reassuring, offered little clarity. No law enforcement agencies have confirmed an investigation, and Newsweek reports that neither the FBI nor local police are involved. The lack of official updates has left a vacuum filled by internet conspiracy theories. A viral X thread noted a white podcaster referring to Brown in the past tense. Others cited a 2024 explosion involving Plastoline that left Brown injured, further fueling fears that he may be targeted. While there's no evidence of foul play, Julian Brown's silence continues to spark concern. Until he reemerges publicly, questions around his safety—and the future of Plastoline—remain unresolved.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Express Tribune
Julian Brown missing? Fans worry after inventor's cryptic 'under attack' post
Julian Brown, a young environmental inventor and founder of Naturejab, has gone silent after posting an alarming video on Instagram. Known for his groundbreaking invention Plastoline—a machine that converts plastic into gasoline using microwave pyrolysis—Brown posted a message on July 9 stating he was 'under attack.' He has not been seen or heard from publicly since, causing widespread concern among his 1.7 million Instagram followers. The 21-year-old inventor had gained rapid popularity for his innovative approach to solving plastic pollution. Plastoline, his flagship invention, converts plastic waste into fuels like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. Brown's mission to revolutionize the energy and recycling sectors earned him recognition in Forbes as a rising green tech innovator. After weeks of silence, Brown's mother, Nia, issued a statement saying her son is safe but keeping a low profile for personal safety. She declined to share further details, and Brown's current location remains unknown. Brown also launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $1 million for scaling Plastoline. While still far from its goal, the campaign has raised over $18,000 and continues to draw interest from environmentally conscious supporters. As fans await more clarity, speculation continues about whether Brown's disappearance is connected to his invention or if he faces threats from external sources. For now, the mystery remains unsolved.
