In the latest installment of funny Florida man stories, an 18-year-old content creator found himself trading a cozy retail nap for a jail cell this week. The Florida man arrested, identified as Isaac Matthew Hurley, attempted to revive the infamous Walmart TikTok challenge by spending 24 hours inside a closed supercenter in Englewood. His grand plan to livestream a secret sleepover ended abruptly—and hilariously—when deputies discovered him snoozing comfortably in the dog bed aisle.
The Ultimate 24-Hour Sleepover Fail
The incident, which has dominated viral TikTok news feeds over the last 48 hours, began innocently enough. According to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, Hurley entered the Walmart on South McCall Road around 10:15 p.m., just before closing time. Unlike legitimate shoppers rushing to buy milk, Hurley had a different agenda: he was there to complete the "24-hour overnight challenge," a social media trend where participants hide inside big-box stores to gain views and clout.
Hurley didn't just hide behind a pallet of toilet paper; he set up shop in the pet department. Authorities report that the aspiring influencer constructed a makeshift fort using merchandise and settled into a large, plush dog bed. He then initiated a livestream, hoping to broadcast his "survival" skills to his followers. Unfortunately for him, the only thing he successfully demonstrated was a 24 hour sleepover fail of epic proportions.
Lights, Camera, Busted
The Walmart dog bed arrest unfolded shortly after 11 p.m., when the store was locked up for the night. While Hurley anticipated a night of stealthy streaming, he overlooked two critical factors: overnight security and the brightness of a smartphone screen in a pitch-black store. Employees and security personnel quickly noticed the glow of his phone—and reportedly heard audible snoring coming from the pet supplies section.
Deputies arrived to find Hurley arguably too comfortable. "The suspect was located in the dog bed section, actively livestreaming to TikTok," a Sheriff's Office spokesperson confirmed. Instead of racking up millions of likes, Hurley was racking up charges. His stream captured the exact moment law enforcement ended the challenge, providing his audience with a very real, unscripted finale involving handcuffs rather than a victory dance.
Charges and "Petit Theft" of a Charger
The situation went from prank to criminal offense when deputies discovered Hurley had opened merchandise to sustain his stream. To keep his phone battery alive for the broadcast, he allegedly ripped open a package containing an iPhone charger. This earned him a charge of petit theft in addition to burglary of an occupied structure.
The Florida man arrested was booked into the Charlotte County Jail and later released on a $1,500 bond. Legal experts note that while the theft charge is minor, burglary of an occupied structure is a serious felony in Florida, turning a night of internet clout-chasing into a potential legal nightmare.
Sheriff Roasts Viral Trend Culture
Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell didn't mince words when addressing the arrest, using the opportunity to critique social media trends 2026 that encourage illegal behavior. In a statement that has since been shared widely, Prummell questioned why influencers don't channel their energy into positive community impacts.
"I'm not sure why people buy into these social media challenges when they are clearly encouraging you to violate the law," Prummell stated. "From the 'kicking in the front door' challenge to this... young people especially are putting themselves in bad situations and paying the price for it." He added a rhetorical question that likely stung more than the arrest itself: "Why aren't any of these challenges aimed at making the world better?"
The Dangers of Copycat Challenges
This incident serves as a stark warning for anyone considering similar stunts. Retail giants like Walmart have significantly upgraded their security measures since the initial wave of sleepover challenges years ago. Modern surveillance systems, motion sensors, and 24-hour cleaning crews make it nearly impossible to go undetected.
While Hurley's Walmart dog bed arrest provides entertainment for internet onlookers, it highlights a growing fatigue among law enforcement regarding disruptive internet pranks. As this story continues to trend, it serves as a reminder: the only 24-hour stay you're likely to get from hiding in a Walmart is a night in county jail.
