
Purge-style teen prank sweeping America that tricks victims into thinking their home is being invaded
A recent video of the purge-style incident, similar to the old-fashioned prank of ding-dong-ditch, showed a group of five Florida teens making their way toward a home in Riverview - about 20 minutes from Tampa - on Friday around 10.40pm.
Shocking Ring doorbell footage captured the moment one of the unidentified teens walked toward the house with a ski mask covering their face and an airsoft gun in hand before the juvenile kicked the front door and fired a plastic pellet before running away, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said.
In the clip, the teen was seen pointing the gun at the front door and firing it as several shots rang out. He then darted out onto the street with the rest of the group, laughing as they ran.
Chronister, who called the new trend the 'door kick challenge,' said the prank is making waves across TikTok and needs to stop immediately.
'Parents, please talk with your children about this dangerous trend, which could end in tragedy,' he wrote on X alongside the clip.
The sheriff has asked anyone with information on the suspects in the video to call the department.
This is just the latest incident, as two teenagers were slapped with felony burglary charges after they kicked another stranger's front door in the Sunshine State.
Jeffery Merthie, 15, and Zahmarii Reddick, 13, were arrested in DeBary, near Orlando, on July 6 after they kicked a neighbor's door in.
Merthie and Reddick were seen on doorbell footage sneaking up to the house, before slowly turning around with their backs to the door and kicking it several times before fleeing.
Bodycam footage later showed Merthie being placed in cuffs while he stood next to another teen, who was not identified. Both boys told Volusia Sheriff's deputies that they were leaving Reddick's house.
'Where's the girl?' another officer asked.
'We didn't do nothing, I promise you,' the unidentified teen told police.
'I promise you you did,' the officer, who was placing Merthie in cuffs, said. 'Not you, but he did.
'The camera is crystal clear [of] you running up on their front porch and you turn around and kick their front door in... The camera can not be no more clear,' the cop continued.
Merthie was picked up by police after they noticed his 'distinctive' shorts, which were multicolored.
When asked why they did it, Merthie told them they were 'just being dumb.'
'We weren't responsible, we won't do that no more,' he said.
Merthie tried to defend their actions, saying they just kicked the door, but the officer quickly pulled up photos of the broken door on his phone to show the teen.
The door had large chunks of splintered wood and the lock and doorknob was entirely busted off.
'That's completely broken in,' he said. 'You know those people could have shot you?'
Reddick was taken into custody after her mother allowed officers inside the home to search for the girl.
Argenis Ruiz, the homeowner who was targeted by the teens, described the terror his family faced that night.
'It was super super loud,' Ruiz told WESH. [I was] clueless. I was just asleep and I woke up startled and scared and just wanted to get my kid out of the way.
'Immediately, we checked our cameras.'
Although the prank left him fearful, Ruiz said he is grateful nobody was hurt as a result.
He also sent a message to the teens involved in this incident and any others who have participated in it or plan to.
'Be careful [and] be smart. Think about what you're doing. This stuff could affect your life and family members as well,' he told the outlet.
It is unclear if Merthie and Reddick will be charged as adults.
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The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Cops rescue 9 foster kids from house in woods where they were ‘sprayed with vinegar, locked in cages & sexually abused'
A FAMILY of four have been arrested after cops saved nine foster and adopted children from their alleged house of horrors deep in the Florida woods. Brian Matthew Griffeth, 47, Jill Elizabeth Griffeth, 41, and their adult children Dallin Russel Griffeth, 21, and Liberty Ann Griffeth, 19, were taken in after a tip from a church camp revealed a slew of abuse allegations. 6 6 6 The four adults from the Griffeth family based in Fort White, Columbia County, were charged with aggravated child abuse on July 22. Their alleged victims are made up of 9 biological and adopted children ranging from the ages of 7 and 16. The children were rescued from the house on July 3 and subsequent interviews with the Child Protection Team revealed numerous abuse allegations, the Columbia County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. They include spraying children in the face with vinegar, locking them in makeshift cages, and drugging them with non-prescription medication. "Child Protection Team (CPT) investigators conducted interviews with all 9 of the children," the Sheriff's Office release stated. The children reported being "beaten with a cane", "locked in their bedrooms" and "sprayed with vinegar" as punishment. At least one of the children says they were sexually abused by Dallin Russel Griffeth, an arrest warrant seen by The U.S. Sun states. Meanwhile, a 14-year-old boy claimed he was locked in makeshift cage built under a bunk bed. He would be trapped by a sheet of plywood that was nailed across to block his exit, according to the warrant. Others claimed they were "forced to lie on the floor by the mother, Jill, and having her place a sheet of plywood on top of the child's body and press down on them resulting in splinters and pain," police said. The children also said they were "instructed to lie about what happens at home" and that they were "not being taken to or provided with adequate schooling to read or write." The family lives in isolation deep in the woods, and many of the children cannot read - some don't even know their birthdays. TIP OPENED FLOODGATES An investigation into the Griffeth family was sparked by a report from someone at their church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Branford. The tip came in following an incident a few days before the children were picked up from the house. 6 6 One of the Griffeth's children was found at church camp with a "functioning electronic stun gun" which led investigators to discover the hideous crimes allegedly committed at the home. Brian had claimed the taser was fake which was later found out to be a lie, the warrant states. "Additional concerns were raised about the adopted children being treated unfairly compared to the Griffeth biological children, in addition to the children not knowing their full name or their own birthdays," the Columbia County Sheriff's Office said. 'MADE TO WORK' The woman from the church told officers that Brian and Jill would mainly adopt and foster children from African-American backgrounds who would be "treated unfairly", according to the arrest warrant. "None of the foster or adopted children are familiar with their last names or basic personal information," she claimed, adding that she feared the children were made to "act as workers not family". The Sheriff's Office noted that at a previous visit to the home, officers from the Florida Department of Children and Families "noted that the adopted children were working on chores, while the biological children were playing or watching TV." "It was discovered during this visit there is a 10th foster child that was not present but was with their biological parent in Arizona," the Sheriff's Office added. This child was found safe and well by Glendale Police. The adoptions were privately arranged in Arizona before the family moved to Florida, cops said. All four adults have been taken to the Columbia County Detention Facility where they are each being held on a $500,000 bond. Full statement on Griffeth family arrests from Columbia County Sheriff's Office On July 3, 2025, Columbia County sheriff's deputies were called to assist the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) with a court-ordered pickup of 9 children residing at the residence of Brian and Jill Griffeth located at 173 SW Boundary Way, Fort White, Florida. Of those 9 children, 5 are biological and 4 are adopted with ages from 7-16 years of age. This pick-up order was a result of an investigation of alleged child abuse that was happening in the home stemming from concerns by a mandatory reporter at their local church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Branford, FL. While at church camp a few days prior, one of the Griffeth's children was caught with a functioning electronic stun gun. Additional concerns were raised about the adopted children being treated unfairly compared to the Griffeth biological children, in addition to the children not knowing their full name or their own birthdays. Prior to the pick-up order, DCF investigators responded to the Griffeth residence to interview the family regarding the accusations. During this initial visit it was noted that the adopted children were working on chores, while the biological children were playing or watching TV. It was discovered during this visit there is a 10th foster child that was not present but was with their biological parent in Arizona. A well-being check was done by the Glendale Police Department, and the child was safe and healthy. During the interview of the children by DCF, various forms of child abuse were discovered. Accusations of the adopted children being beaten with a cane by Brian and also locked in their bedrooms by Brian and the other adults. As a result of the allegations of physical abuse, DCF investigators obtained a court order to remove all of the children from the home. Over the next few days Child Protection Team (CPT) investigators conducted interviews with all 9 of the children. During these interviews, allegations by the children included: Being caged under the bunk bed by screwing in plywood to prevent his escape Being forced to lie on the floor by the mother, Jill, and having her place a sheet of plywood on top of the child's body and press down on them resulting in splinters and pain Being sprayed in the face with vinegar as a form of punishment Being given non-prescribed medication Being instructed to lie about what happens at home Not being taken to or provided with adequate schooling to read or write As a result of the CPT interviews and the DCF investigation, all four active and participating adults in the Griffeth home were arrested on July 22, 2025, for aggravated child abuse and transported to the Columbia County Detention Facility and where each are being held on $500,000 bond. At this time, it is also unsure of the legal adoptive status of one of the children since there is no record found in Arizona. It should be noted, due to the original concerns by a mandatory reporter here in the State of Florida, DCF became involved and investigated Griffeth family. The adoption process for these children was conducted privately in Arizona, prior to moving the family of 13 to Ft. White, Florida. Due to the implementation of mandatory reporting here in Florida, a report was made, an investigation was conducted, and these children were removed from this house of abuse.


Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Police arrest Chuck E Cheese mascot for credit card fraud as kids look on
A man wearing a Chuck E Cheese mascot was taken away by police officers in cuffs at one of the restaurant chain's locations in Florida. Jermell Jones, a part-time employee at the restaurant, was entertaining when officers from the Tallahassee Police Department arrived and took him into custody still in his mouse costume. He was charged with three felony offenses tied to the theft and fraudulent use of a customer's credit card. The arrest was captured on video and widely shared on social media. TPD said Jones resisted when approached by officers forcing them to place him in cuffs. Critics have slammed the public nature of the arrest, questioning why police didn't wait until the man was out of costume to avoid traumatizing any kids. One person wrote on Facebook: 'Ok, Tallahassee Police Department, y'all couldn't let this man change out of his Chuck E Cheese costume before arresting him in front of those kids?' 'This wasn't well thought out at all. They should not have arrested the mascot in front of those children. Those children's lives have been changed forever because of this. They probably won't trust characters at Disney or anywhere else they go after this,' another added. 'Those poor kids are going to have after seeing this,' a third joked. According to TPD spokesperson Alicia Hill, officers were called to the Chuck E Cheese after a woman reported her credit card had been stolen during a birthday party that was held there in June. The victim said she later discovered roughly $100 in fraudulent charges from unfamiliar retailers. Using transaction records and surveillance, police were able to trace the activity back to an employee working at the restaurant - someone who was responsible for checking hand stamps at the door. But when officers arrived to make the arrest, they were told by another staffer that the suspect was now dressed in the full Chuck E Cheese mascot. 'When they approached him, he immediately tenses up and resists, and so at this point they make the decision to put him in handcuffs,' Hill said. 'Keeping in mind the safety of not only the customers, but the suspect, as well as the officers themselves.' At least one officer referred to the man by his character's name. 'Chuck E, come with me, Chuck E,' one officer said while grabbing the employee in costume. Hill said that while there's no official TPD policy regarding arrests made in costume or in front of children, the department relies on officer discretion to prioritize public safety and the preservation of evidence. Police say they recovered the stolen credit card in Jones's possession during the arrest. He was booked at Leon County Jail and charged with three felonies. 'When you have a victim outside, it doesn't matter what the dollar amount is,' Hill said. 'She was the victim of a fraud.' Jones has since been released on $1,000 bond. Reached for comment, a Chuck E Cheese employee at the Tallahassee location told reporters: 'It's unfortunate that it happened here,' adding that the arrest 'didn't have anything to do with the company.' In a statement to the Tallahassee Democrat, a representative for CEC Entertainment, the parent company of Chuck E Cheese confirmed: 'We are aware of an incident involving a part-time employee arrested at our Tallahassee location on Wednesday, July 23. We have taken the appropriate action concerning the subject employee.'


Telegraph
7 hours ago
- Telegraph
Maxwell questioned over Duke of York by Trump officials
Ghislaine Maxwell was questioned about the Duke of York during an interview with Trump administration officials. The former girlfriend of convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein was asked about the royal for the first time during two days of meetings with the US deputy attorney general, a source told the Mail on Sunday. They said: 'This is the first time anyone has asked Ghislaine about any of the men. 'She told the truth and didn't back away from any questions. She wants the truth to come out.' Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in helping Epstein recruit and abuse underage girls, is the only person to have ever been convicted in connection with his crimes. In 2021, Virginia Giuffre, who was trafficked by Epstein, claimed she was raped and abused by the Duke on three separate occasions, when she was 17. The Duke has always vehemently denied the allegations, insisting he has 'no recollection' of meeting Giuffre, who died by suicide earlier this year. Without admitting liability, the Duke allegedly paid his accuser more than £12 million in an out-of-court settlement in February 2022. Maxwell's lawyer said she answered 'every question' put to her by Trump administration officials during the nine-hour interview at Tallahassee Federal Prison in Florida. The 63-year-old was granted a limited form of immunity, allowing her to answer questions put to her by Todd Blanche, the US deputy attorney general, without risk of her responses later being used against her, sources said. This included being quizzed about 'more than 100 different people', according to an individual familiar with the meeting. 'The limited immunity deal is a huge risk for her because this case is so politicised she only has immunity so long as she hasn't lied,' a source told the Mail on Sunday. 'She was asked about a laundry list of people including Prince Andrew, Bill Gates, Les Wexner, Bill Clinton, Alan Dershowitz, Leon Black and a Who's Who of powerful Wall Street moneymen and financiers. 'There were Silicon Valley names in there along with world leaders, other non-British royals aside from Andrew and famous names from the world of show business.' The interview comes amid growing political pressure on Donald Trump who has been dogged by allegations that the White House is suppressing information contained in the so-called Epstein files. The documents have remained sealed despite promises made by the president's administration to release them. 'Funny business' According to reports, Pam Bondi, the US attorney general, told Mr Trump he appeared in the files weeks before her department announced it would not be releasing any more of the documents. Department of Justice (DoJ) officials reviewed the files earlier this year and discovered Mr Trump's name appeared multiple times, senior officials told the Wall Street Journal. Mr Trump is said to have privately told people he fears being accused of 'funny business' because of his former friendship with the financier. The president, who is currently making a scheduled trip to Scotland, is expected to meet with the US deputy attorney general in the coming days to discuss the interview with Maxwell. Speaking with reporters on Friday, Mr Trump refused to rule out granting clemency to the disgraced British socialite in exchange for her testimony. 'I'm allowed to do it, but it's something I haven't thought about,' he said of Maxwell. 'Fake news stories' Responding to the allegations, Steven Cheung, the White House communications director, told The Telegraph: 'The fact is that the president kicked him [Epstein] out of his club for being a creep. 'This is nothing more than a continuation of the fake news stories concocted by the Democrats and the liberal media, just like the Obama Russiagate scandal, which President Trump was right about.' Meanwhile, Maxwell's family have previously suggested that the convicted sex trafficker could use 'government misconduct' to challenge her imprisonment, claiming 'she did not receive a fair trial'. David Markus, Maxwell's lawyer, briefly spoke with reporters ahead of his client's renewed questioning, describing her as a 'scapegoat'. 'The truth will come out about what happened with Mr. Epstein and she's the person who's answering those questions,' he added. Legal appeals against Maxwell's sex trafficking convictions have been rejected by the courts, however.