Crime & Safety
Fake Gun Claim By Lower Bucks Woman In Boardwalk Evacuation: Police
A Bristol woman has been charged with the incident at Morey's Pier in North Wildwood, N.J., last Saturday in which she blamed a male teen.
LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA —A Bristol woman has been charged for filing a false report of a teen with a gun on the busy North Wildwood boardwalk last week, police said.
Taylor Erickson, 29, of Bristol, faces several charges after police allege a verbal altercation with juveniles led her to falsely report that someone in the group was brandishing a firearm at Morey's Pier on Boardwalk Avenue on June 22, the North Wildwood (NJ) Police Department said.
Erickson is charged with 2nd Degree, Causing False Public Alarm, and 2nd Degree, False Reports to Law Enforcement Officers.
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Last Saturday, 2024, the North Wildwood Police Department responded to the area of 25th and the Beach for the report of a juvenile-aged male brandishing a firearm.
The complainant additionally reported that the male entered the property of Morey’s Pier, located at 2501 Boardwalk Avenue. For the safety of the public, an immediate evacuation of the pier was ordered.
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Upon initial investigation, the complainant provided a detailed description of the alleged subjects as well as a description of the firearm observed.
This information was broadcast to the Wildwood Police Department and a response from Cape May County SWAT.
The alleged suspects would later be located by the Wildwood Police Department and confirmed not to be in possession of any firearm.
Law enforcement personnel were also able to clear the pier of any potential threats immediately following and Morey’s Pier was re-opened.
A thorough follow-up investigation was conducted by NWPD Detective Deritis, including interviews of witnesses and a review of available surveillance cameras and video footage.
Detective Deritis was unable to corroborate details initially provided by the complainant. The investigation additionally revealed no evidence of anyone brandishing a firearm.
A follow-up interview was conducted with the complainant who admitted to creating a false report to law enforcement due to a verbal altercation with the juveniles.
Erickson was placed on a summons complaint as per bail reform and released pending a court date.
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