Church of Scientology scrambles as viral trend wreaks havoc on top secret fortresses across California

A masked mob of up to 50 people — many believed to be minors — tried to bust into the Church of Scientology’s downtown San Diego building, kicking doors, pounding windows, and spitting on the property in a brazen viral stunt.

The rowdy crowd surged toward the church’s Fourth Avenue location Saturday, arriving on foot and by bicycle before trying to force their way inside the “top secret fortress.”

The group reportedly breached a secured area, wrecking locks and smashing a surveillance camera before police arrived.

“This was not a peaceful visit or lawful protest. It was a coordinated act involving attempts to breach a religious facility, damage property, and disrupt its operations,” a church spokesperson told CBS8.

Church facilities are peaceful spaces designed to welcome parishioners, visitors, and members of the public. Turning them into targets for viral stunts is not journalism, protest, or civic activity. It is trespass, harassment, and disruption of religious facilities,” added the spokesperson.

San Diego police said no arrests were made Saturday, but investigators are combing through evidence to track down those responsible.

“Crimes committed against religious institutions will not be tolerated,” San Diego Police told the outlet.

This is just one of several incidents across California. The trend took off in early April, with users on social media posting videos of themselves — sometimes inexplicably in costume — entering multiple properties owned or otherwise occupied by the Church of Scientology.

Participants film themselves “speedrunning” through the building or aiming to complete a task as fast as possible. That task? Map out the church’s buildings and gather as much information as possible about the organization’s inner workings.

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed it has responded to multiple incidents in the past month, including the one witnessed by Buensuceso, which was investigated as a potential hate crime.

Last month, a group of dressed-up minions attempted a speed run at the Scientology headquarters in LA.

A TikTok video captures people in Minion costumes reenacting a Despicable Me scene — likely mocking the lovable yellow creatures designed to serve so-called evil masters.