Nazareth Police: Pen Argyl Man Fakes Kidnapping

A Pen Argyl man is facing a charge of disorderly conduct after he faked his own kidnapping, according to Nazareth police.

Brian Baskar, 21, of Flory Avenue sent several text messages to friends Saturday, stating he had been kidnapped and they should contact police.

In his messages, according to police, Baskar said he was kidnapped near the American Hotel by two white males dressed like “rednecks” who had been drinking “heavily.” Baskar said the men were driving a red Toyota pickup with a stick shift.

As his messages continued, Baskar said he had been driven around for about 45 minutes before the men chained and left him inside a warehouse near a wooded area, according to police.

When Baskar's friends notified Nazareth's police department about the alleged kidnapping, officers asked Baskar’s cell phone provider to ping his phone so they could determine his last location.

Baskar turned off his cell phone at one point, so the provider was not able to pinpoint a location.

Following an investigation that spanned four hours, officers found Baskar on the 100 block of Mauch Chunk Street -- he had been there the entire time, according to Chief Thomas Trachta.

Baskar admitted to police that he was not kidnapped and that he was playing a joke on his friends.

A disorderly conduct charge will be filed through office. If convicted, Baskar faces up to a year in prison.