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These columns list arrests and not convictions, unless otherwise stated. Anyone listed here who is later found not guilty or has had the charges against them dropped is welcome to inform this newspaper. The information will be confirmed and printed.

'VIRAL PRANKS'

Tempe police arrest social media influencer

Man faces burglary, criminal impersonation charges

A 21-year-old man has been arrested and charged with several offenses involving a series of viral pranks that disrupted five Tempe businesses.

Heston Cobb was arrested this week for pranks police said he and others pulled at Pep Boys, Hyland Auto Repair, Big Brand Tire & Service, Jiffy Lube and Chipotle.

The businesses began reporting cases between March and July, saying a group of men came into their stores dressed as employees. They then “began seriously disrupting their businesses by entering employee-only areas and refusing to leave when asked," according to a Tempe Police Department release.

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'VIRAL PRANKS'

Tempe police arrest social media influencer

Man faces burglary, criminal impersonation charges

Posted

A 21-year-old man has been arrested and charged with several offenses involving a series of viral pranks that disrupted five Tempe businesses.

Heston Cobb was arrested this week for pranks police said he and others pulled at Pep Boys, Hyland Auto Repair, Big Brand Tire & Service, Jiffy Lube and Chipotle.

The businesses began reporting cases between March and July, saying a group of men came into their stores dressed as employees. They then “began seriously disrupting their businesses by entering employee-only areas and refusing to leave when asked," according to a Tempe Police Department release.

One man was identified as the group’s leader and instructed others to begin working, the release stated.

Videos were posted on the social media pages of “Heston James,” police said.

“The videos garnered millions of views and potentially generated large amounts of money,” the release stated.

Detectives said they started to link the cases after a series of the pranks occurred in Tempe at the beginning of July.

Charges against Cobb include a count of third-degree burglary, two counts of criminal impersonation, five county of disorderly conduct and five counts of criminal trespass, police said.

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