Full Breakdown
Lawn-Mower Stunt at Target Leads to Arrests of Two Ocala Teens
4/28/2026, 2:29:26 AM
Target Store Incident on Southwest College Road
On Saturday, 18-year-old Janek Szkaradek drove a lawn mower through the entrance doors of the Target store on Southwest College Road in Ocala, Florida, shattering the door and breaking glass. Luke Charske, also 18, filmed the act for social-media distribution. Police reported that the maneuver endangered shoppers and caused visible property damage, with wood boards and broken glass left covering the entrance after the stunt.
Prior Disturbance at a Nearby Restaurant
The night before the Target incident, Szkaradek allegedly used a leaf blower inside a Culver’s restaurant on the same road, creating a safety concern for employees and customers. Police linked the two actions as part of a pattern of reckless behavior.
Individuals Involved
- Janek Szkaradek – driver of the lawn mower; charged with criminal mischief and disorderly conduct for both the Target and Culver’s incidents.
- Luke Charske – recorded the Target stunt; charged as a principal with disorderly conduct for his role in filming.
- Ocala Police Department – the law-enforcement agency that investigated, arrested, and filed the charges.
Legal Actions and Custody Status
Both teens were taken into custody by the Ocala Police Department on Saturday. Szkaradek faces two counts of criminal mischief and two counts of disorderly conduct; Charske faces one count of disorderly conduct. According to jail records, both were released on Sunday pending further court proceedings.
Official Police Response
A department spokesperson emphasized that the actions endangered people and resulted in property damage. Police warned that such social-media stunts are crimes, not harmless videos, and urged the public to consider the legal consequences before recording reckless behavior.
Community Reaction and Criticism
Witness Vanessa Scarlett described the scene as “the last thing you expect to see inside a Target” and noted that shoppers were shocked by the sudden intrusion. While she said the teens “definitely got the consequence that a lot of people think they deserved,” she also called for “some grace, because they are teenage boys.” Local residents expressed concern about safety and the influence of viral challenges on youth.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The last thing you expect to see inside a Target is a lawn mower coming through the door,” — Vanessa Scarlett, witness
- “He actually drove straight into the door first and shattered it. It was quite interesting,” — Vanessa Scarlett, witness
- “I think they are teenagers that definitely got the consequence that a lot of people think they deserved. But I also think to give them some grace, because they are teenage boys,” — Vanessa Scarlett, witness
- “These actions endangered people and caused property damage,” — Spokesperson, Ocala Police Department
- “They are crimes, not harmless videos.” — Spokesperson, Ocala Police Department
- “Think before you record—it’s not worth an arrest and a criminal charge.” — Spokesperson, Ocala Police Department
What’s Next
Both teens remain subject to the criminal process in Marion County courts. Police continue to monitor social-media platforms for similar reckless activities and encourage the public to report any suspicious behavior.
