A British TikToker who had been posting viral videos of himself walking into people’s houses without permission and pretending to steal dogs from elderly owners in parks has been arrested in London.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed in a statement on Monday evening that 18-year-old Bacari Ogarro — known by the pseudonym “Mizzy” — was now in police custody following a number of videos that drew widespread criticism across Britain last week.
He has been arrested on suspicion of causing a public nuisance after footage showed the menace ripping up library books, jumping into strangers’ cars, storming affluent London homes with his entourage and harassing the owners, and grabbing a dog from its owner before running away with the pet and laughing.
He also posted another video where he approached and asked random women at the Stoke Newington overground station if they wanted to die.
Ogarro was previously detained back in February for allegedly assaulting orthodox Jews in Stamford Hill, an area with a large Haredi Jewish community. On that occasion, he was held for 36 hours before being released.
“I do not underestimate the widespread upset, distress and concern that these videos caused,” said Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway of the Central East Command Unit following the arrest.
“Some people have referred to these as ‘prank’ videos, but I hope that this significant development demonstrates just how seriously we have been taking this investigation since this footage began circulating online.
“A number of these videos were produced, impacting many different people, and our investigation remains ongoing as we seek to build a strong picture of both the activity featured in the footage and impact on the public,” Conway added.
Speaking to the Independent prior to his arrest, Ogarro claimed those outraged by his actions were only calling for his arrest because he is Black.
“I’m a Black male doing these things, and that’s why there’s such an uproar on the internet,” he told the news outlet.
Ogarro’s TikTok account has now been removed with a spokesperson for the social media platform stating: “Our Community Guidelines are clear that we prohibit content promoting criminal activity. In relation to this issue, we have banned accounts for violating these guidelines.”
His YouTube page of 39,000 subscribers has also been removed.
