RAPID RIVER — An alleged kidnapping incident that took place Tuesday evening in the Rapid River area has been deemed a hoax by the Michigan State Police.

Troopers from the Michigan State Police Gladstone Post and deputies from the Delta County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched Tuesday after receiving a report of an alleged kidnapping and a woman who had been located tied up and lying in a ditch just east of County Road 511 and US-2. The woman was located tied up and she told officers she had been kidnapped by a man driving a small, black pickup truck. Additional officers were call to the scene to assist in the investigation.

The investigation revealed an out-of-state group was involved in advising officers that several other people were missing. After interviewing the parties involved, officers determined the entire incident was made up to bring awareness to a cause. State Police did not indicate what the cause was.

A second woman involved in the incident was arrested by troopers on charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault, and false police report. She was lodged in the Delta County Jail. Her name has not been released pending arraignment.

“Due to the nature of the initial complaint, a lot of law enforcement resources were deployed to assist in the case,” the Michigan State Police stated in a press release attributed to Gladstone Post Commander F/Lt. Gregory Cunningham. “Social media reports created a lot of false information and public concern.”

Assisting the Michigan State Police Gladstone Post and Delta County Sheriff’s Office were troopers from the Michigan State Police Manistique Outpost and Rampart EMS.