The NYPD is circling a group of several dozen people wanted for storm the Church of Scientology’s Times Square location earlier this month as part of a viral TikTok trend known as “speed running.”
The police department put out a bulletin seeking to identify 31 people for a May 2 incident, when the group gained entry to the midtown Manhattan church on West 46th Street. The group, according to police, forced their way into a side entrance before running through the building.
NBC News verified several social media videos appearing to show the group gain access, run through the hallways and grab several items. Everyone in the group ultimately fled the church on foot.
The NYPD said the incident resulted in $10,000 worth of damage. A 30-year-old security guard was also kicked in the leg, police said.
“The Church welcomes lawful visitors. It does not welcome mobs forcing entry, damaging property, disrupting religious spaces or endangering people for views,” a spokesperson for the Church of Scientology said in a statement Tuesday.
As of Tuesday morning, the NYPD said one person had been taken into custody.
The “speed running” trend has blown up on social media in recent months, with some videos racking up millions of views. In many of the videos, a group of young people are often seen gaining access to churches and sprinting as far inside the building as they can reach before stopped by staff and security.
The trend has primarily played out at Church of Scientology buildings in California, specifically in San Diego and Hollywood.
“Church facilities are peaceful spaces designed to welcome parishioners, visitors and members of the public. Turning them into targets for viral stunts is not journalism, protest or civic activity. It is trespass, harassment and disruption of religious facilities,” the church’s statement also read.
0 Comments