BunkoSquad

« Vermont Hates Wikipedia | Main | John Amaechi in ESPN Magazine »

February 14, 2007

Arrests Made in Panic-Causing Hoax

BOSTON - Boston police and officials say they have made a number of arrests related to the hoax that snarled traffic, closed schools and caused regionwide panic.

Those arrested have been identified as Harvey Leonard of NewsCenter 5, Ken Barlow of WBZ-4, Fox 25's Kevin Lemanowicz, and Pete Bouchard of 7 News. They will be charged with providing misleading information and causing panic in the public with their forecasts of an epic blizzard.

"Their actions were irresponsible and harmful," said Attorney General Martha Coakley. "Calls have come into police and emergency units all over Boston. People were concerned, people stayed home from school, and we have an inch of slush."

Grocery stores reported that in the panic, every loaf of bread, container of milk, and stick of butter flew off the shelves. Hardware stores were also feeling the heat.

"Every year, as soon as there's snow in the forecast, everyone comes in and buys a shovel and an ice scraper," said Gerry Heroux, manager of Heroux's Hardware in Fitchburg. "I wish to hell I knew how they managed last winter. Maybe they throw out their shovels every spring."

Traffic was at a standstill all over the area, as people left for work or the slopes at the crack of dawn. 54,356 SUVs have driven off the road as of press time.

A spokesman for the National Weather Bureau defends the suspects, and says they never should have been arrested. "It was a harmless stunt," said press secretary Lance Marcheson. "They were hired to warn people of a potential winter event, and they got a little carried away. With the lack of snow all winter, the February sweeps, and the nation's attention fixed on the death of Princess Anna Nicole, it's understandable. Certainly not illegal."

City officials praised the quick police work that got these meteorologists in custody.

"It wasn't that hard to find the perpetrators," said Mayor Thomas Menino through an interpreter. "We knew where most of them were, since they were on live TV. They weren't expecting us to catch them so quickly. Most of them were apprehended right in front of their green screens."

"They'll pay for the damage they've caused the city. They'll pay."

Dunkin' Donuts stock rose $34 yesterday on the news that every snowplow driver in New England would be mobilized.

Filed Under: Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Boston, Made Up Stuff | Permanent Link, Comments (3)   | Linking Blogs

Comments

Posted by: eileen | February 14, 2007 02:27 PM

Posted by: Vin | February 14, 2007 05:30 PM

Posted by: Sooz | February 15, 2007 12:38 PM