Ottawa police ponder charges over '24-hour overnight challenge' videos

The online videos feature a man who hides inside Ottawa businesses until they close, and then films himself trying to exit without tripping off alarms or encountering security guards.

It's part of a global trend called the "24-hour overnight challenge," but Ottawa police say it's no different from breaking and entering, and they intend to laycharges.

The man, who goes by the social media handle Jay Station, has posted footage of himself and others creeping aroundafter hours inside buildings including the Rideau Centre, TD Place Stadium and a bowling alley on Merivale Road.

Police became aware of the videos last week and are actively investigating two cases, one at the bowling alley and another at a gym, according to Staff Sgt.Mike Haarbosch of the Ottawa police robbery unit.

"The people that are being depicted in the videos, they're kind of walking a fine line between a criminal charge, a break and enter charge and a trespass to property," said Haarbosch. Police are working to determine whichcharges to lay before making an arrest.

Worldwide trend

A quick search on YouTubeprovides thousands of examples of the trend, filmedin countlesslocations.

One video, which appears to take place at an Ikea store in the United Kingdom, shows two young men hiding in a cabinet before emerging after the store closes, only to encounter a security guard who calls police. The video, which was posted in September, has garnered nearly 1.9 million views.

The man posting the videos in Ottawa has already been issued a trespassing ticket for lingering inside Rideau Centre after the stores closed on Labour Day, said Haarbosch.

"That clearly didn't act as a deterrent, so we're going to be looking at this point if we're given the option of laying those charges to probably issue a summons this time," he said.

A provincial court summons would mean the man could face a fine of up to $10,000, according to police.

'Not fun and games'

The general managerat the Merivale Bowling Centre didn't know what had triggered an alarm on Sunday night until a customer notified him on Tuesday that the business was featuredin a YouTube video.

"I was actually quite shocked," said Stephane Campeau, who said he'd heard about the trend happening in theUnited States, but wasn't aware it had spread to Ottawa.

In that video two mencan be seen hiding in the dark behind the bowling lanes, an areaCampeau said is unsafe to venture into without special training. He said the men are lucky they weren't injured by one of the machines.

"It's definitely not fun and games," said Campeau. "You don't want to ruin your life over a few laughs with friends. It's not worth it."