Crime Time

Hoax: Dallas police say teen faked kidnapping

It was a hoax.

Last week Dallas Police requested a nationwide Amber Alert for 16-year-old Aron Jones. His brother, Markevin Jones, 23, told police that Aron was kidnapped and in serious danger.

Lots of police and FBI agents started looking for the teen.

The Amber Alert was cancelled early March 28 when Aron returned home unharmed.

But police since then have learned more and just issued this update:

"Subsequent interviews with Aron Jones and his brother revealed that the kidnapping was a hoax and was created in an attempt to carry out a personal vendetta against one of the witnesses involved in the investigation. Aron and Markevin Jones have been charged and arrested for making a false report."

— Bill Miller

Police: all that glitters...may be stainless steel

A fraud ring ripped off people in Texas, Arizona and other states with fake gold jewelry, authorities say. The group would buy large quantities of stainless steel bracelets and necklaces, stamp them with 14k and 18k, and sell them as gold, an Arizona TV station reports. Two people have been arrested, but police are seeking the alleged mastermind, Edward Brueggemeyer, and four other suspects. Authorities think Brueggemeyer could be in Texas, the station reports. Chandler, Ariz., police are working with Texas law enforcement officials and others. 

'Balloon Boy's' parents get jail time, probation for hoax

Remember the "Balloon Boy" hoax in October?

Well, his parents are probably feeling a little deflated Wednesday after a judge in Colorado sentenced the father, Richard Heene, to 90 days in jail, and the mother, Mayumi, to 20 days in jail. The sentence also invoked a harsh probation, the Associated Press reported.

-- Lance Murray