Tempe, Arizona -- A routine day at an Arizona repair facility turned chaotic when more than a dozen social media pranksters stormed the shop in what authorities are calling a staged stunt.
The incident occurred at Hyland Auto Repair in Tempe, Arizona on July 3, when two individuals posing as new employees entered the facility and announced they were “taking over.” Minutes later, a van pulled into the lot and approximately 20 more people—dressed in coveralls—rushed into the service bays, brandishing tools and crawling under vehicles.
Staff immediately shut down operations, contacted police, and inspected customer vehicles for potential damage. Shop owner David Hyland reached out to affected customers to offer reassurance and check for concerns.
“They physically climbed under vehicles, under the hoods. We didn’t know if it was a robbery,” Hyland told Arizona’s Family, a Phoenix-based television news outlet.
No injuries were reported, though the shop's operations were temporarily halted and staff shaken by the unexpected encounter.
The stunt was reportedly orchestrated by TikTok personality Heston James, who has more than 1.8 million followers on the platform. James is known for staging over-the-top, immersive pranks involving large groups of people. Previous antics have included surprise restaurant “takeovers” and mock interviews at job sites—though critics are now calling for clearer boundaries when it comes to public disruptions and potential safety risks.
While today’s safety discussions in collision repair facilities often focus on calibration procedures and advanced driver assistance systems, this incident highlights old-school concerns: physical security and workplace safety.
Tempe police are investigating the incident. As of publication, charges have not yet been laid.
