Kidnapping reported in Minneapolis was a hoax

Hours after news of a reported kidnapping sparked fear in a north Minneapolis neighborhood, police have determined that the incident was a prank, officials said.

"Within the past forty-five minutes the Minneapolis Police Department has determined that the kidnapping and false imprisonment incident which occurred last night was a prank," the Minneapolis police department said in a written statement.

Police officials said three adult men and a young woman came forward and have been questioned by police.

"They have told investigators that they came up with the idea and location because they knew it would attract a great deal of attention," the police statement said.

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Earlier in the day, Minneapolis police spokesman Sgt. Bill Palmer said the department had assigned several investigators to the case.

Police had said they received a report that a woman was seen running from the backseat or trunk of a vehicle Thursday night with duct tape around her arms, legs and mouth.

Witnesses told police that a man chased the woman down, assaulted her and put her in the trunk of the car, which sped off.

After the car sped away, another witness reported seeing the woman try to escape from the trunk. At that point, the three people in the car got out, appeared to assault the woman and closed the trunk again, witnesses said.

No one has been arrested in connection with the apparent hoax, but police officials said they will ask the Hennepin County Attorney's Office to review the case.