TEMPE, AZ – A social media influencer known for his viral pranks has been arrested following a series of stunts that disrupted local businesses. Tempe police have taken 21-year-old Hesston Cobb, who goes by Hesston James online, into custody. Cobb boasts over a million followers across Instagram and TikTok.
In one of the videos that gained widespread attention, Cobb and several accomplices entered a Tempe auto shop impersonating employees. The video shows them donning uniforms and pretending to work, with Cobb instructing his group to grab tools and crawl under vehicles. Employees at the shop reported chaos as Cobb’s crew refused to leave, despite demands to vacate the premises.
Another incident involved Cobb appearing at a Chipotle, again dressed as an employee. He falsely informed staff that a new team was coming in to “clean house,” suggesting that current employees would be fired or tasked with cleaning the area. This prank led to a 911 call from the Chipotle staff.
While these videos attract millions of views and can generate significant revenue for influencers, they often have negative repercussions for the businesses involved. The disruption to daily operations can lead to financial and reputational harm, turning what some see as harmless fun into criminal activity.
Cobb now faces multiple charges related to his pranks. Authorities emphasize the importance of understanding the impact such actions can have on local businesses and employees, who may face real consequences from these stunts.
The rise of social media fame has driven some to pursue increasingly outrageous acts to capture public attention, but this case highlights the potential legal ramifications when pranks cross the line into criminal behavior.
As the investigation continues, Tempe police are urging other businesses that may have been targeted by similar pranks to come forward and report incidents.