Feb 24, 2005 By Angie Santello 2 min read

The Masontown Borough Police Department recently unraveled an abduction hoax that led police to charge a Leckrone man with false reports to law enforcement. John Coburn, 31, of Leckrone was charged with two counts of false reports to law enforcement authorities and will be arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Brenda K. Cavalcante.

Masontown Borough Police Chief Rich Barron said he and borough police officer Jeff Standish worked hard to crack the case over the last few weeks.

Coburn allegedly told police that three unidentified black males abducted him at gunpoint while he stood at the Parkvale Bank ATM machine at 6 a.m. on Feb. 6. Coburn allegedly told police he was abducted from Feb. 6 until 5 a.m. on Feb. 9.

Barron said when police heard that the abduction lasted for two and a half days, they knew it didn’t add up.

“He and these guys are going to ATM machines withdrawing money. Why not just run when you’re out of the car?” Barron asked.

Through tracking down Coburn’s ATM transactions, police determined the alleged abduction was a hoax.

Barron said police found the Leckrone man caught on camera at a Route 21 service station. The tape showed Coburn walking into the service station with a friend, withdrawing money and then purchasing a quart of oil.

“It was only a matter of time before we found one with a camera and he was done from there,” Barron said.

Coburn’s motivation for the deed was unclear, Barron said.