DELTA COUNTY, MI— One person has been arrested in connection with a fake kidnapping scheme in Delta County.
Troopers from the Gladstone Post and deputies from the Delta County Sheriff’s Office received a report Tuesday of an alleged kidnapping, where a woman was found tied up in a ditch just east of County Road 511 and US-2. The woman said she’d been taken by a man driving a small black pickup truck.
But investigation revealed an out-of-state group was involved in telling police that several other people were missing and relating other false information. Investigators say the incident was created to bring awareness to the group’s cause.
A different woman who was involved in the case was arrested for kidnapping, aggravated assault, and false police report. She remains lodged in the Delta County Jail.
Officials say due to the nature of the initial complaint a number of law enforcement resources were deployed. They note social media created a lot of false information and public concern.
Additional people involved in the hoax have also been identified.
