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'Hoax Kidnapping' Causes Chaos, Costs Thousands

Posted: 9:20 am EDT July 3, 2009Updated: 5:52 pm EDT July 3, 2009

A Central Florida teen sent law enforcement from nine agencies scrambling down I-4 after she called Orlando police claiming she was kidnapped and stuck in a white SUV heading east.

When police finally caught up with the SUV and the 16-year-old inside, she confessed she concocted the whole story so her parents wouldn't punish her for breaking curfew.

Orlando Police Lt. Robert Anzueto was disgusted.

"It really upsets me," Anzueto said. "Nine Central Florida agencies put their lives on the line, going probably 100 miles per hour down I-4 to try and catch this car to save a girl that we think is being kidnapped, and it ended up being a hoax."

Police finally caught up with the SUV in Volusia County.

The girl, whose name is not being released, was let go, but police plan to file charges against her soon with the State Attorney's Office. They also hope to force her to repay the costs associated with the massive search involving 30 people and two helicopters from different agencies.

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