Kidnapping Reported to Police was a Hoax

Cramerton Police responded to Eastwood Drive near the intersection of Eagle Road around     8:30 PM on Sunday, July 15 when witnesses reported watching a male being beaten and placed in the trunk of a car. Witnesses stated that two males jumped out of a vehicle and began to assault a white male on the side of the road. Witnesses reported that after a few minutes the two males placed the victim in the trunk of the vehicle they were driving and left the scene traveling Eastwood Drive toward Armstrong Ford Road.

          Investigation of the reported assault and kidnapping uncovered that the incident was a hoax and was staged by three teenage males in an attempt to upset one of the teenager’s girlfriends whom they knew would have sight of the incident from Pinebrook Swim Club.

            “Our investigation confirmed that no crime was committed.  There was not an actual assault and no kidnapping took place” said Cramerton Police Chief Greg Ratchford.  The investigation involved a thorough crime scene search, locating and interviewing witnesses, a complete search of DMV files, and locating and interviewing suspects according to Ratchford.  “The unfortunate part of this incident is that an immature prank cost numerous man hours and a great deal of taxpayer money” Ratchford said.  “Those man hours could have been used to solve actual cases where persons were truly victimized.”  No criminal charges will be filed in the case.