Family moves from their home after it was targeted 18 times by strangers doing TikTok trend

CHANDLER, Ariz. (AZFamily/Gray News) — A police department in Arizona warned of a potentially destructive social media trend that involves kicking doors, vandalizing homes and turning off electrical boxes.

Chandler police urged parents to talk to their children about how the pranks aren’t harmless and can actually result in criminal charges.

“They’re just getting weird TikTok challenges and they’re daring each other,” Angelica Proffer said.

Proffer says she experienced similar pranks in Mesa. Her neighbors were also victims.

“Their garage door was dented pretty bad,” Proffer described.

Authorities say groups of younger individuals participate in these crimes as part of a national TikTok challenge.

Proffer, a teacher, identified the teens who targeted her home by sending a video of the incident to the local high school.

“The boys that did it at our house, they didn’t even know each other. Just some kids walking by them dared them to do it,” Proffer added. “Their parents were mortified. ‘We’ll pay for the damages. We’ll help you out. Whatever you need. If you decide to press charges, we understand.’ But they were very willing to work with us and we were grateful for that.”

Proffer decided not to press charges.

Meanwhile, others have taken the challenge in Chandler.

“A group of juveniles arrived at a specific house and targeted them about 18 times,” said Chandler Police Detective Zachary Odom.

So far, charges have been submitted against three teens who were seen on video.

“So, the couple was terrified to the point where, in the end, they did move out of the residence. They were scared. They were unsure if someone was trying to break in,” Odom explained.

Police say the teens did not know the Chandler couple who was targeted 18 times. They could face charges of criminal damage, disorderly conduct and harassment, according to Odom.

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