FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County sheriff has a strong message for those trying to create a social media following: Committing a criminal act for likes and views will get you arrested.
On July 3, several concerned citizens called 911 in reference to a female being possibly abducted from The Collection shopping center in Cumming. They reported that the female was yelling for help and tied up with a covering over her head.
After multiple resources were put in place, authorities concluded that the driver, identified as 19-year-old Christopher Kratzer, and the occupant, the alleged kidnapped victim, 17-year-old Ava Coleman, were filming a YouTube prank.
"If you want to create a social media following, I would strongly dissuade you from this stupidity, good armed citizens might have been justified in using force to stop what they legitimately believed was a kidnapping," Sheriff Ron Freeman said.
He said that eight deputies responded to the call along with the assistance of an off-duty Gwinnett County police officer and Johns Creek police.
"Evidence indicated that this stunt had falsely alarmed the public creating an apprehension and panic that caused members of the public to feel unsafe and to report it to law enforcement," Freeman said.
Authorities say Kratzer and Coleman were charged with reckless conduct and raising a false public alarm. They were booked into the Forsyth County Jail.
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