Teens drive lawnmower into Target store while filming reckless prank, police say

Front-end Target workers in Ocala were forced into a dangerous, fast-moving disruption when two 18-year-olds drove a lawnmower through the store’s entrance while filming a prank for social media, damaging the sliding doors and alarming shoppers inside. Police said the stunt at the Target on SW College Road happened Saturday, April 25, 2026, and created an immediate safety risk for both customers and employees working near the entrance.

Authorities identified the teens as Janek Szkaradek, who drove the lawnmower, and Luke Charske, who recorded the stunt. The Ocala Police Department said the pair’s actions were not harmless antics but crimes, and officials said the behavior endangered people inside the store. For Target staff, the incident meant more than a viral clip: it meant a damaged entrance, a disrupted flow of guests, and the kind of cleanup and security response that can quickly ripple across a store’s front end and sales floor.

Police said the Target incident was tied to another stunt the night before at a nearby Culver’s restaurant, where Szkaradek allegedly used a leaf blower inside while patrons were dining. That earlier episode added to the case against him and underscored the pattern officers said they were dealing with: reckless social-media behavior that crossed into public disturbance and property damage in busy retail and restaurant spaces on SW College Road.

Both teens were arrested on misdemeanor charges including disorderly conduct. Szkaradek also faced a criminal mischief charge tied to the Culver’s incident, while Charske was charged as a principal to disorderly conduct. The two were later released on bond, with reported amounts of $1,500 for Szkaradek and $500 for Charske, according to Marion County Jail records.

The episode has drawn attention because it struck at a place where employees are trained to keep traffic moving, doors clear, and guests safe, all while maintaining normal operations. In this case, the stunt briefly turned that routine into a security problem at the entrance of a busy Target store, with police using the case to warn that these acts carry real legal consequences, not just online attention.