A recent rumor regarding gang initiation that had caused alarm for people in Duplin and Sampson counties has turned out to be a hoax, according to officials with both law enforcement agencies

“We have received several calls from citizens concerned about an e-mail that has been circulating,” said Duplin County Sheriff Blake Wallace during a press conference last week. “The e-mail is warning people to be aware of a gang initiation that involves (the use of) a baby seat or baby carrier that is left out on the street.”

“We have had calls about this, too,, and even had some inquires as far away as Missouri,” concurred Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton. “We first heard about this last month and have been getting calls on it since then, but it is, in fact, a hoax.”

The “gang initiation hoax” was rumored to involve a baby seat sitting on the side of the road with a life-like looking baby doll strapped in it. When a concerned person stops to help the baby, gang members were alleged to jump out and attack the concerned citizen.

Both law enforcement officers said there have been no reports investigated in relation to the hoax.

“There have been no incidents in association with this,” Wallace stressed. “We just want the public to know that there is nothing to it.”

The calls, Wallace said, have not been reports but rather questions about whether such an initiation was actually taking place.

The same is true in Samson.

“Nothing,” said Thornton, about any incidents called in. “We have only had calls on it, nothing reported. But in today’s world, it is better to be safe than sorry.”

Wallace noted that the e-mail originated in Tennessee from someone in law enforcement who believed that he was warning people to be safe while on the roadways.

“Unfortunately, the person thought they were doing the right thing,” the sheriff said. “We have gotten a few calls, and we wanted to let the public know that it is a hoax. We wanted to put them at ease.”

“It is sort of like that rumor a few years ago with the flashing bright lights while driving,” Thornton said. “People talked about it, it spread and then it was over. There is nothing to this one either, it is a hoax. We just want people to know that if they have any concerns or if they see anything like this to call us.”

Wallace agreed.

“We are here to help and calm those concerns,” he said.

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or send e-mail to sisports@myclintonnc.com.