2 Northern Va. teens facing charges for YouTube prank at Lowes
Mike Murillo | mmurillo@wtop.com

March 21, 2024, 1:18 PM

Two Northern Virginia teenagers are facing serious charges after their attempt to film a YouTube prank resulted in a police response in the City of Fairfax earlier this month. ... Sgt. James Lewis said the City of Fairfax Police received reports of someone being abducted outside of a Lowes on Jermantown Road on March 5. ... “They were saying that they saw a subject that was bound, his hands were bound and he had duct tape across his face,” Lewis said.

Those who called 911 reported seeing who they thought was that abductee inside a trunk while the abductors stood outside the car, Lewis said. ... Police responded and soon realized it was all part of a prank that the teens planned to post to YouTube, Lewis said. ... Two of those involved are now facing charges. Colin Harris, 19, of Sterling and Ahadu Geta, 19, of Falls Church, were charged with disorderly conduct and falsely summoning law enforcement. A third person who operated the camera wasn’t charged.

Lewis said police take calls like this very seriously and assume what’s being reported is truly happening, which creates a dangerous situation for all those involved. Not to mention, there was also a risk to good Samaritans who may try to intervene as well. ... “The last thing we want is anybody for anybody to get hurt due to something that’s not really taking place,” he said. ... Lewis said the department is hopeful the charges will send a message that pranks such as this are dangerous and those behind them will be held accountable.

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Mike Murillo
Mike Murillo is a reporter and anchor at WTOP. Before joining WTOP in 2013, he worked in radio in Orlando, New York City and Philadelphia.
mmurillo@wtop.com
@MikeMurilloWTOP

VIRGINIA
Northern Virginia teens charged over YouTube prank video that scared bystanders

The incident happened in the parking lot of Lowe’s in Fairfax. Dispatch calls suggested customers believed someone was being kidnapped.

Author: Matthew Torres
Published: 6:58 PM EDT March 18, 2024
Updated: 6:58 PM EDT March 18, 2024

FAIRFAX, Va. — Two teenagers in Northern Virginia have been charged over a prank video that startled several people in early March, according to Fairfax City Police.

Bystanders reported seeing someone with duct tape over their mouth and wrists bound inside a trunk while two people were outside the car and “assumed control” in the parking lot of Lowe’s on Jermantown Road.

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In Loudoun County last year, Tanner Cook was shot while trying to record a prank video on Alan Colie inside Dulles Town Center Mall. A jury acquitted Colie on the most serious charge after his attorneys argued self-defense.



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