Vienna 'Gallon-Smashing Prank' Teens Face Charges

The Vienna teenagers involved in a prank that became a YouTube sensation are facing multiple charges, including disorderly conduct and destruction of property in connection with seven incidents at four area stores, Fairfax County Police said.

The "Gallon Smashing" video, which lasts just more than three minutes, seemed to be filmed mostly in Giant Food stores, though the Pan Am Safeway and a Whole Foods also appear to have a cameo.

In the prank, a teen appears to purposely smashes two milk jugs and then falls, and keeps slipping as passersby try to help him up. The viral video has spurred many copycat videos on YouTube, and teens in copycat cases in New Jersey and Montana are facing charges.

Fairfax County authorities said last week they were investigating the incident. 

The teens told the Huffington Post earlier this year the pranks are good-natured and aren't intended to cause damage or harm to anyone involved.

When Patch included the story in a weekly "Weird Virginia" roundup, several Patch readers said it was not cool. One Patch reader commented, "I hope these kids were arrested and charged for all their ruined gallons and destruction of property when they hit shelves and lights with the milk and juice. Not to mention all the bystanders and store items that got sprayed. I am sure that more than just their 2 gallons each time had to be cleaned up and thrown away. This should not be glorified."