Man Accused of Reporting Phony Drowning

A Hunterdon County, N.J., man is accused of diverting police officers and public resources to a drowning in the Delaware River that didn’t exist.

According to a news release from Pennsylvania State Police at Dublin, the 39-year-old man from Stockton, N.J., “was under the influence of a controlled substance” when he falsely reported that a woman was drowning near Rt. 212 and Easton Road in Durham Township, Bucks County, on the evening of Jan. 21.

“There was no drowning victim,” police said.

The news release said the man has been charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, but it was unclear if he would face additional charges related to making the false report.

Police said their investigation of the incident is ongoing.