New Jersey malls are known for many things. Soft pretzels, sneaker stores, awkward escalator traffic. But no one expected the latest commotion to involve a handful of wet pennies. Yet here we are. Shoppers at the American Dream Mall were treated to an unexpected sideshow after a group of New Jersey teens turned a peaceful wishing fountain into their own personal piggy bank.
According to @besartii92 on TikTok, three teens were spotted leaning right into the make-a-wish style fountain and helping themselves to the loose change floating inside. Instead of pretending it was a fleeting lapse in judgment, the trio fully committed. Scooping coins by the handful, piling them on the edge like they were cashing out at a slot machine.
As if that weren’t bizarre enough, one of them even stepped back toward the water to keep collecting more. Shoppers stood nearby, baffled that the teens weren’t even trying to be subtle. A woman who recorded the whole thing couldn’t believe their ages. Pointing out that at least one looked far too old to be acting like a child playing pirate treasure.
The biggest kicker? Those coins aren’t just decoration. In many malls, including places like this, fountain money is collected for charity, especially around the holidays. So the spectacle quickly shifted from weird to downright cringe.
The Fountain Free-For-All Nobody Asked For
Once the clip made its way online, the response was swift and fiery. Commenters couldn’t wrap their heads around the fact that anyone would swipe coins that were meant to support children’s organizations or at the very least, to honor the wishes people tossed in with good intentions. The sentiment was unanimous: stealing spare change is one thing, but stealing wish money? That hits differently.
Some viewers shared memories of being kids and considering grabbing coins. But even then, knowing it was off-limits. Others were frustrated that the person filming didn’t step in. A few openly criticized the teens’ parents, insisting this behavior didn’t happen overnight.
“It is bad luck to steal from a fountain,” one commenter writes.
“He has no shame. Omg that’s so embarrassing,” another adds.
“Shameful thing to do,” one more claims.
Unfortunately, because the teens happened to be Jewish, some comments veered into unacceptable territory. While those remarks were rightly condemned, the broader frustration remained focused on the disrespectful act itself.
One moment especially got to people: a small child approaching the fountain to drop in a coin, only to be stopped by their mom after noticing the teens fishing the coins out. The innocence of that gesture, contrasted with the teens’ behavior, made the scene feel even more disappointing.
At the end of the day, this strange New Jersey fountain fiasco became bigger than a few pilfered pennies. Whether those coins were destined for charity or simply symbolized people’s hopes, the teens’ grab-and-go moment struck a nerve. Maybe it’ll spark a lesson in respect, or at least discourage the next round of amateur treasure hunters.
Sabrina Russell 
Kenna Raye 
Kendra Quinn 
