Police departments across Utah have issued public statements after being inundated with calls from people mistakenly contacting them about the arrest of YouTuber Reckless Ben, amid an ongoing Lego-related legal dispute. The situation stems from an investigation led by YouTuber Reckless Ben, whose real name is Benjamin Schneider, into a missing Lego Star Wars collection reportedly worth more than $200,000. The case has led to a legal conflict involving the American Fork Police Department and a store called Bricks & Minifigs, with Schneider alleging wrongdoing connected to the handling of the investigation.
As online discussion around the case escalated, several unrelated police departments across Utah reported being overwhelmed with calls from members of the public. Agencies clarified that they were not involved in the American Fork Police Department case and urged people to stop contacting them about it. Central Utah 911 stated in a Facebook post that call volumes rose significantly, increasing from 157 calls to 424 calls in a single day. The agency reported that during its busiest hour, 143 calls were received, with 138 classified as non-emergency. Officials said the surge created operational strain, with dispatchers handling nearly three times their usual workload. The statement added that staff had been subjected to harassment while managing the increased call volume.
The agency noted that emergency lines are intended for urgent situations such as fires, medical emergencies and crimes in progress, warning that non-emergency calls could delay critical response times. The Salem Utah Police Department also issued clarification on social media, stating that it had “zero involvement in this matter” and requested that all enquiries be directed to the appropriate agency. The department emphasised the need to keep emergency lines open for local incidents. The confusion follows ongoing legal tensions between Reckless Ben and the American Fork Police Department.
