A Texas father confessed to police that he lied about his infant son being in the back seat of his stolen Jeep, believing investigators would resolve the issue quickly.
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Anthony Gray, 38, left his black 2018 Jeep Cherokee Latitude running while grabbing a coffee from a local gas station in Houston early Thursday morning. He explained to officers that two men jumped out of a red Kia Optima, entered his vehicle, and took off. Gray told them that his six-month-old son was in the stolen Jeep to expedite the search.
Investigators immediately started the search, and local media reported the missing child. Although the Jeep was found several hours later, officers said the child remained unaccounted for. The baby’s grandmother called the police after seeing the missing child report on TV and informed them that he was safe and sound.
Update: vehicle has been located at the 16400 blk of Eton Brook Ln, but the infant remains unaccounted for. Appreciate the assist by our partners at Pct 4 Constables Office in locating vehicle. We need our community’s assistance in locating this infant. Call us at 713-221-6000. https://t.co/tNsTFXI9Ev
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) September 8, 2022
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Officers confirmed that the boy was not in the vehicle when it was stolen. During a press conference, they called the entire situation a hoax.
Update: HCSO Investigators have determined the infant was never with him. Child was at a relative’s house, and male claims he falsified the kidnapping to get a better response to his stolen vehicle. Anthony Ray Gray (38) has been arrested and charged with Filing a False Report. https://t.co/urRDgL98YY
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) September 8, 2022
Gray was later charged with filing a false report. In response to the case, many people called him selfish for using police resources to find his stolen vehicle and lying to police in order to get his issue resolved quickly,
What an idiot hahahah https://t.co/FJrJtECIgz
— liahwinters (@liahhwinters) September 9, 2022
Lol unbelievable. 🤦🏾♀️ I’m glad they charged his stupid ass. https://t.co/UxzD8VaE0S
— eboni🍭 (@et_ebur) September 8, 2022
This was a waste of resources hope it was worth getting the car back now you in jail for something stupid. https://t.co/P62XOaFWp2
— | ✵ Lueur d’espoir ✵ | (@lizziifaustus) September 8, 2022
Broo what? People are crazy https://t.co/nMnhETim10
— Smitty (@KeshunS) September 8, 2022
This is why I can’t file a police report. Because of dishonest people like this. Abuse of the legal system works both ways. It’s why I was charged with a DWI when I didn’t understand what was happening and I was a victim. Had they believed me, my daughters and I might be ok 💔
— Michelle Nyx (@MotherCreator22) September 8, 2022