What was likely meant to be a viral moment quickly turned into a criminal case for two Florida teenagers after a reckless stunt inside a Target store shocked shoppers and law enforcement alike.
According to police in Ocala, Florida, two 18-year-olds were arrested after one of them drove a lawn mower directly into a Target store on Southwest College Road while the other filmed the incident for social media. Authorities say the stunt caused property damage and created a dangerous situation for customers and employees inside the store.
Investigators identified the driver as Janek Szkaradek, who allegedly rode the lawn mower through the store’s entrance, damaging the door in the process. His friend, Luke Charske, was accused of recording the entire incident, which police say was intended to go viral online.
But the Target stunt wasn’t an isolated act. Authorities say Szkaradek had carried out another disruptive stunt the night before, using a leaf blower inside a nearby Culver’s restaurant — also for social media content.
Police were quick to shut down any notion that the behavior was harmless fun. In a statement, officials emphasized that the actions endangered others and caused real damage, warning that “these are crimes, not harmless videos.”
Both teens now face charges. Szkaradek was charged with criminal mischief and disorderly conduct, while Charske was charged as a principal to disorderly conduct for his role in filming the incident.
The incident highlights a growing trend of risky social media stunts where the pursuit of views and virality overrides common sense. What might seem like a quick way to gain attention online can quickly spiral into legal trouble — and in this case, could have ended much worse for anyone inside the store.
