Toilet Paper Prank Leads to Menacing and Reckless Driving Charges in Upper Arlington

UPPER ARLINGTON, Ohio (Cleveland 13 News) — A toilet paper prank on Nottingham Road in Upper Arlington escalated into criminal charges after a video surfaced online showing an adult male driving his vehicle toward a group of teenagers and making threatening remarks about carrying a firearm, according to the City of Upper Arlington.

The incident occurred on the evening of September 5, 2025, but police said they were not called to the scene at the time. “No 911 calls or service requests were made that night,” the city’s official statement noted. Investigators opened a case only after the video began circulating on social media in the days that followed.

The footage prompted police to launch an investigation, interview witnesses, and review the circumstances leading up to the confrontation. According to the city’s report, the group of teenagers had “recently toilet-papered” the man’s home before the altercation took place.

On September 11, 2025, Upper Arlington police filed charges against both the adult and the teens involved. The man faces three misdemeanor counts: aggravated menacing, disorderly conduct, and reckless driving. Under Ohio Revised Code 2903.21, aggravated menacing refers to knowingly causing another person to believe they will suffer serious physical harm, a first-degree misdemeanor. Reckless operation, under ORC 4511.20, involves driving in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property, while disorderly conduct, defined under ORC 2917.11, includes threatening harm or engaging in violent or turbulent behavior likely to cause alarm.

Five teenagers were charged with trespassing. City officials confirmed that rather than proceeding through traditional prosecution, their cases will be handled through the Upper Arlington Juvenile Diversion Program, which focuses on education, restitution, and community service. Admission into the diversion program is determined collaboratively by police, the City Attorney’s office, and program coordinators, as outlined in city code.

The City of Upper Arlington emphasized that the investigation and subsequent charges were “pursued independently, not as the result of a complaint,” after officers reviewed the social media footage. Officials also reiterated the importance of immediate reporting, urging residents to call 911 whenever threatening behavior is observed so officers can respond in real time.

Authorities have not publicly released the identities of either the adult male or the teenagers involved, citing privacy and juvenile protection laws. The city’s statement did not mention any injuries, and officials have not confirmed whether the man possessed a firearm beyond the threats heard in the video.

As of early October, no court docket or arraignment information has been posted. Misdemeanor and traffic cases in Upper Arlington typically begin in Mayor’s Court, which convenes Thursdays at noon, though prosecutors may also transfer qualifying cases to Franklin County Municipal Court depending on the nature of the charges.

The City of Upper Arlington shared the official statement on its website and mirrored it on Facebook and Instagram, reiterating the same message issued by police. The Upper Arlington Police Division also posted the update on X (formerly Twitter), linking to the full statement.

Local media coverage by WSYX/ABC6, FOX28, and CBS regional affiliates echoed the city’s release, confirming the charges and the role of the viral video in prompting the investigation. Outlets 614Now and Columbus Navigator published summaries emphasizing the escalation from a teen prank to a police matter and the timeline from the incident to the filing of charges.

The case remains under review as officials monitor compliance within the juvenile diversion program and await further proceedings for the adult defendant.

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