Ottawa police are investigating a series of YouTube videos that purport to show people hiding out overnight in various businesses and storefronts throughout the city, in what is known online as the “24 hour overnight challenge.”
A YouTuber who calls himself Jay Station has posted a series of videos that appear to show himself and often a buddy going into businesses during the day, hiding out past closing time and then staying overnight.
A video apparently shot earlier this week appeared to show Jay Station and a friend “camping out” at the Merivale Bowling Centre in Ottawa.
Stephane Campeau, manager at the bowling alley, only later learned of the stunt. But Campeau told CTV Ottawa he remembers the two men being at the alley.
“They were asking a lot of questions, but that’s typically what people do when … they’ve never seen or been here before,” Campeau said. “So they always questions: What time do we close, how things work and whatnot.”
Jay Station and his friend appear to tape themselves sneaking through the building, then triggering an alarm that sends them running.
There have been two stunts like this within the last week, including one at the bowling alley and another at a gym in Ottawa’s west end.
Ottawa police are investigating both incidents.
“Maybe it’s something that could be taken lightly by the almost half a million people that have viewed it, but I can guarantee we’re taking it much more seriously than that,” Ottawa Police Staff Sgt. Mike Haarbosch told CTV Ottawa. “And we want to put a stop to it now.”
Police have contacted both the Crown’s office and provincial prosecutors, who are reviewing the videos to see whether charges can be laid.
Jay Station tries to make it clear in his videos that he’s not damaging or stealing anything.
The most police have been able to get him on is trespassing, and he has been issued a fine.
