cdiver2
Contributor
It would have served them right if they had been shot
No laughing matter
Friday, August 12, 2005
A false alarm created a scare in Pasco County Friday morning as three men posing as jail escapees tried to bum rides back to Tampa.
It started out as a radio stunt from 98 Rock/Clear Channel, in which three men were competing for a free trip to L.A.
Wearing orange outfits, shackles and handcuffs, the three men were dropped off in Pasco.
The idea was the first one who got a ride back to Tampa would win the prize.
The sheriff's office said the scare 98 Rock caused in the county put an unnecessary burden on law enforcement.
Drivers flooded police with calls about how terrified they were that men who looked like jail escapees were trying to get rides from them.
Everyone from the public to the sheriff's office took the incident seriously.
Major Maurice Radford sent every deputy and car he had available to take care of the situation, which may have taken personnel away from real emergencies.
It hasn't been decided if charges will be brought against the radio station.
"You have heard of the recent stories about escapees, some killing law enforcement," Radford said. "We take these things very seriously. We would ask the public to continue to call us if they see anything suspicious, to continue to be diligent."
The sheriff's office picked up the three men, detained them for questioning and let them go.
Deputies are still looking into whether they should charge the men or the radio station in connection with the incident.
No laughing matter
Friday, August 12, 2005
A false alarm created a scare in Pasco County Friday morning as three men posing as jail escapees tried to bum rides back to Tampa.
It started out as a radio stunt from 98 Rock/Clear Channel, in which three men were competing for a free trip to L.A.
Wearing orange outfits, shackles and handcuffs, the three men were dropped off in Pasco.
The idea was the first one who got a ride back to Tampa would win the prize.
The sheriff's office said the scare 98 Rock caused in the county put an unnecessary burden on law enforcement.
Drivers flooded police with calls about how terrified they were that men who looked like jail escapees were trying to get rides from them.
Everyone from the public to the sheriff's office took the incident seriously.
Major Maurice Radford sent every deputy and car he had available to take care of the situation, which may have taken personnel away from real emergencies.
It hasn't been decided if charges will be brought against the radio station.
"You have heard of the recent stories about escapees, some killing law enforcement," Radford said. "We take these things very seriously. We would ask the public to continue to call us if they see anything suspicious, to continue to be diligent."
The sheriff's office picked up the three men, detained them for questioning and let them go.
Deputies are still looking into whether they should charge the men or the radio station in connection with the incident.
