CENTEREACH, N.Y. (AP) — Police in the suburbs of New York City announced the arrest of Kyle Vazquez, a 21-year-old who they characterize as a “social media prankster.” His arrest was triggered by a series of viral videos where he engaged in bizarre antics, including dumping food on himself and leaving others to deal with the aftermath. Vazquez was taken into custody in Centereach on Long Island on Monday.

Vazquez faces multiple charges, with a total of eight counts filed against him. These include six counts related to the unlawful recording of individuals without their consent, as well as two counts of criminal tampering, according to law enforcement reports. At his arraignment on Tuesday, Vazquez pleaded not guilty to all charges and was subsequently released, pending a scheduled court appearance on June 30.

Law enforcement officials from Suffolk County reported that one of Vazquez's stunts occurred on April 29, when he dumped a tub of eggs on his head outside a Ralph's Italian Ices establishment in Centereach. Following this act, he reportedly fled the scene in a vehicle, abandoning a mess of scattered eggshells at the entrance.

The very next day, he executed a similar prank at a local Chinese restaurant. While standing shirtless, he poured a bucket of beans over his head in the middle of the dining area, further demonstrating a disregard for public spaces and the people within them.

In addition to these incidents, police reported that in May, Vazquez visited three separate residences under the pretense of needing to use the bathroom. Once inside, he allegedly created disturbances and filmed the residents without their prior knowledge or consent. These actions have raised significant concerns regarding privacy and consent, reinforcing the rationale behind the charges against him.

Vazquez actively shared videos of not only these stunts but also various other pranks on his TikTok account, which boasts a following of over 100,000 users. These online antics have spurred debates about the implications of social media on public behavior and responsibility, particularly when it comes to pranks that can disturb the peace or intrude on the privacy of others.

The Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County, which is providing legal representation for Vazquez, has not publicly commented on the case as of Tuesday. The outcome of the court proceedings and the implications of Vazquez's actions may provoke broader discussions about social media's influence on youth behavior and societal norms surrounding pranks.