'Prank' Kidnapping May Result In Real Criminal Charges

OLYMPIA, WA - A scary kidnapping of three kids Wednesday night in Olympia turned out to be an elaborate prank. But the people who carried out the hoax may end up facing real criminal charges, according to Washington State Patrol.

Around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday at Heritage Park, witnesses saw six men dressed in white suits jump out of bushes and apprehend three kids, ages 11, 15, and 17. The 17-year-old, police later found out, was in on the prank.

Witnesses saw the men in white suits zip-tie the kids and throw them in an older red Ford pickup, which then sped away.

Washington State Patrol put out a bulletin about the kidnapping, asking for help finding the truck. But by 8:30 a.m. Thursday, police had deduced that the ordeal was a hoax .

It turns out, the three people who were "kidnapped" were on a scavenger hunt. Other family members and their friends decided to up the ante, turning the scavenger hunt into an "escape-room style kidnapping." The six adults involved were between ages 20 and 28.

"The family believed the prank would be a fun opportunity ... and didn’t realize the serious implications it would bring," WSP Sgt. James Prouty said in a press release.

Police have given the investigation over to the Thurston County Prosecutor's Office for possible charges.

Images courtesy WSP