NEW YORK — Half a dozen youths were arrested for damaging fences as part of a TikTok challenge known as the “Kool-Aid Man challenge” on Long Island earlier this week, authorities say.
According to Suffolk County Police, the owner of a home in Centereach’s cobblestone court reported hearing loud noises around 1 a.m. Monday and noted on surveillance cameras that six men had torn down parts of his fence.
The men, whose ages range from 12 to 18, returned three hours later and ran through the fence as part of that TikTok craze. The point is to capture some of the wackiness in popular Kool-Aid commercials that show someone, not always a bright red, randomly crashing and destroying walls and fences as the drink’s mascot.
The six men were arrested a short time later on charges of criminal mischief. They were released with fines to appear in family court and are expected to be arraigned early next month.
Police are now investigating whether they may be connected to at least two other cases of damaged fences in Centerach and Selden. No injuries have been reported in either case.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call 631-854-8652.
