DOUGLAS COUNTY—After launching drones, summoning about half the officers on duty at the time, and requesting assistance from the Douglas County Sherriff’s Office, Lawrence police leaned no suspect was on the loose in the 100 block of Yorkshire.
The heavy response was initiated when officers were dispatched to the neighborhood southwest of Iowa Street and Peterson Drive just after 10:30 p.m. August 6, according to a media release from Lawrence Police.
A young boy and his sisters said a man broke into their basement through a window and threatened them with weapons while their mom was upstairs.
They said the man ran out again after the boy hit him with a baseball bat. Crime Scene Investigators processed the scene and officers scoured the neighborhood, but found no suspect.
Then 12:30pm. Friday, police were called back to the home because the children said the man returned.
Officers ultimately brought the children to Headquarters to talk to them separately and learned it was all a hoax.
Detectives chose to talk to each of the children about the severity of their actions and educate them about the importance of telling the truth — and not request criminal charging.
"To any neighbors who may have been in fear during the poice search, thank you for your patience and assistance."