Police in Washington state feared the worst after they received a call that three people had been abducted from Heritage Park in downtown Olympia. A witness told police that six men in white jumpsuits grabbed three people, zip-tied their hands and threw them into the back of a truck before driving away.
Police began investigating the kidnapping and reached out to the public, releasing surveillance footage hoping to track down the owners of the red truck that the abductors used. About ten hours later, one of the people involved called the police and told them that the entire thing was an elaborate prank planned by members of the same family.
Police then tracked down the group and found that everybody involved was safe. The family explained to the officers that they had been working on the "escape room-style kidnapping" for three weeks and "didn't realize the serious implications" of their actions.
Washington State Police said they are sending information about the prank to the Thurston County Prosecutorās Office, who will decide if any charges will be filed against the individuals involved.
Washington State Patrol Sergeant James Prouty told reporters that he was glad that kidnapping was not real.
āWe take this seriously when people have been abducted, especially a child, we want to make sure that person is safe,ā Washington State Patrol Sergeant James Prouty told reporters. āItās a relief you donāt have a child out there thatās been abducted. Definitely a relief.ā