A YouTube influencer from South Florida thought it would be funny to pull a prank on what he called “aggressive cops,” but they later arrested him for making a fake call into 911.
Jason Cid, 21, posts videos to YouTube under the moniker “King Cid” to more than 2 million followers.
Coral Springs Police officials said Cid had an accomplice make a fake complaint about suspicious activity at a gas station on Jan. 27. He recorded the entire interaction between himself, his friends and the police who responded.
Cid posted the video footage of the interaction on his channel and entitled it “Coke Prank On Aggressive Cops!”
The arrest warrant said that someone claimed there was “coke” in the car but when police went to inspect the trunk, they found cans of Coca-Cola soda.
Police said the fake call distracted four police officers from responding to real emergencies during the 45 minute investigation.
In their own video posted to the Coral Springs Police social media account, police used the footage from Cid’s channel as evidence to arrest him.
Coral Springs Police Chief Clyde Parry narrated what he said was a dangerous pranks that could have had deadly consequences.
“Jason Cid did this in the hopes of showing how overly aggressive police officers are when they respond to these calls,” Parry explained. “As you can see from the video, my officers responded and were polite and professional as they investigated the fictitious that was created by Jason Cid and his accomplices.”
At one point in the Cid video, one of the males says they have “stuff in the car” and says he’s not going to jail for anyone.
“The Coral Springs Police Department takes this seriously,” said Parry. “I’m personally offended by the waste of our resources.”
The YouTuber was arrested several days after the incident was recorded. Parry said that he was charged with a felony in the misuse of the 911 system. He added that the investigation was ongoing and that others may be arrested as well.
“As you can see,” said Parry over video of Cid’s arrest, “the joke’s on him.”
Many of the commenters on Cid’s video agreed with the police chief that his officers had acted politely and appropriately.
“Those cops actually handled this like they were supposed too,” said one commenter.
“Thumbs up to those Coral Springs Police officers, they were very professional and polite. A credit to their organisation and the citizens they serve,” said another commenter.
The video that Cid posted about the police prank has garnered over 700,00 views so far.