SYRACUSE, NY (WSYR-TV) – Syracuse Police say a 16-year-old boy who officers conducted an eight hour search for has been charged.
Police say Bobby Loper, Jr. was found at a friend’s house after he was reported missing Thursday night.
The investigation revealed the teenager had sent his family and friends text messages saying he had been abducted and needed help. Police say those text messages were not true and were a hoax.
Loper was found safe and unharmed.
Police say the incident prompted a large response from the department and that a lot of resources were "wasted" during the search because it turned out to be a hoax.
Loper is charged with Falsely Reporting an Incident, which is a misdemeanor. He was issued an appearance ticket and ordered to appear in Syracuse City Court at a later date.
