A report of a man with a gun on an amusement pier on the North Wildwood boardwalk last weekend was a hoax and a resident from the suburbs of Philadelphia has been charged.

The scene unfolded on Saturday evening, June 22nd, in the area of 25th and the Boardwalk at Morey's Pier as thousands of people were right next door for the Barefoot Country Music Festival.

The North Wildwood Police Department says they received a call about a juvenile-aged male brandishing a firearm who had entered the pier.

For the safety of the public, an immediate evacuation of the pier was ordered.

Police officers on the beach in North Wildwood NJ - Photo: Chris Coleman
Police officers on the beach in North Wildwood NJ - Photo: Chris Coleman
loading...

Authorities say the complainant provided a detailed description of the alleged subjects as well as a description of the gun that was observed, which resulted in the Cape May County SWAT Team arriving on location.

The alleged suspects would later be located by the Wildwood Police Department and were found to not be armed.

Taylor Erickson of Bristol, PA, Arrested,

A thorough follow-up investigation was unable to corroborate the information originally given to police and the complainant, 29-year-old Taylor Erickson of Bristol, PA, allegedly admitted to the false report.

Police say the fake report was called-in after Erickson had an argument with the unarmed suspects.

Erickson was charged with second-degree causing false public alarm and second-degree false reports to law enforcement officers and placed on a summons-complaint as per bail reform and released pending a court date.

The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

26 Pictures of the Old, Glorious Neon Motel Signs in Wildwood Crest, NJ

Let's take a tour of the old, glorious neon signs that still sit high atop many of the 1950s and 1960s-era motels in Wildwood Crest.

Gallery Credit: Chris Coleman

More From WPG Talk Radio 95.5 FM