Two employees at an Ohio restaurant are facing criminal charges after police say they used ChatGPT-generated content to fake a robbery report that triggered a major emergency response.
The incident took place at Rubin’s Deli & Restaurant in Elyria, Ohio, on the morning of December 15, when police received calls claiming an active robbery was underway inside the business.
According to the Elyria Police Department, officers were dispatched around 9:15 a.m. after reports described multiple masked suspects inside the restaurant. Due to the seriousness of the call and potential public danger, all available patrol units and detectives were sent to the scene.
However, when officers arrived just minutes later, they found no signs of a robbery. Customers were still seated inside the restaurant, and nothing appeared out of the ordinary.
A preliminary investigation determined the robbery report was completely fabricated as part of a prank carried out by two employees. Police later confirmed that the hoax involved artificial intelligence–generated content, which they described as part of a broader social media trend.
The employees were identified as Todd Durst, 45, and Luis Acevedo Jr., 40.
According to a police patrol narrative report, Durst allegedly created an AI-generated image using ChatGPT that appeared to show masked individuals inside the restaurant. The image resembled a multi-camera security view, with suspects wearing blue gloves.
Durst allegedly sent the image to Acevedo Jr., who then forwarded it to the restaurant’s owner. Believing the image was real, the owner contacted police, triggering the emergency response.
The image was later uploaded to the police evidence management system as part of the investigation.
Police said Durst remained at the restaurant and was taken into custody without incident. He was charged with swatting, obstructing official business, and inducing panic, and was booked into the Lorain County Jail, where he remains pending an initial court appearance.
Acevedo Jr. left the restaurant before officers arrived and has not yet been apprehended. Authorities have issued arrest warrants for him on the same charges. His vehicle was found at the scene, but police believe he fled the area while officers were questioning other employees.
In a statement, the Elyria Police Department warned that AI-generated hoaxes involving fake emergencies are serious criminal offenses.
“AI-generated hoaxes and social media prank trends involving fabricated emergencies are not harmless fun,” the department said. “These false reports divert critical resources away from real emergencies, may endanger lives, and undermine public safety.”
Police added that anyone involved in such behavior will be arrested and prosecuted under state law.
