Police: False report prompted evacuation of amusement pier in South Jersey shore town

NORTH WILDWOOD — A Bucks County man is accused of making a false report that led police to evacuate an amusement pier.

Taylor Erickson, 29, of Bristol allegedly told a North Wildwood officer on June 22 that a juvenile with a gun had entered Morey's Pier in nearby Wildwood, police said.

"For the safety of the public, an immediate evacuation of the pier was ordered." police said in a June 28 statement.

Public safety precaution:Wildwood bans backpacks from its boardwalk in response to Memorial Day chaos

A description of the alleged suspects and the gun was broadcast to Wildwood police, prompting a response from Cape May County's SWAT team, it continued.

Wildwood police took the alleged suspects into custody. but found they did not have a gun.

A review of surveillance video and witness interviews provided no support for Erickson's claim.

He later admitted to misleading police due to an argument with the juveniles.

Erickson was charged with causing false public alarm and making false reports to law enforcement.

The charges are only allegations. Erickson has not been convicted in the case.

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com.