Purdue police say kidnapping a hoax

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Purdue police said a campus-wide alert early Friday evening about a possible kidnapping was only a hoax.

Officers said several people called 911 to report that five individuals wearing masks had grabbed a woman outside Earhart Hall, put a bag over her head and driven off in a vehicle about 5:45 p.m.

Police said one of the "kidnappers" got the alert on their cell phone and then the supposed victim called authorities to say she hadn't been kidnapped.  Instead, she was heading with her friends to an improv comedy show in Indianapolis.

Police Chief John Cox said while it was nothing criminal, it was bad judgment.

"This type of activity in this day and age is not acceptable," Cox said.  "It raises an incredible amount of angst among the community and causes a swift reaction from law enforcement."

A second alert stating the kidnapping was only a hoax went out about 6:45 p.m.

Cox said the matter will be turned over to the Dean of Students for review.