Bridge-jump stunt leads to charges

OCEAN CITY, N.J. - September 13, 2011 (WPVI) -- Authorities issued summonses to four men after a prank at the Ocean City-Longport Bridge led police to mount a water-rescue effort.

Authorities say a boat was waiting when two of the men jumped from the 65-foot-tall bridge early Monday.

A motorist who saw one of the men jump alerted a toll taker. Police spotted the boat heading to a sailboat and police boarded the vessel.

Police say 26-year-old Jason Kelly of Medford and 22-year-old Erick Pelkofsky of Springfield, Pa., jumped from the bridge. They, along with 24-year-old Justin Theno and 28-year-old Michael Rybas of Bensalem Pa., were charged with creating a false public alarm.

Ocean City police Lt. Steven Ang told The Press of Atlantic City police would have mounted a massive search had officers not spotted the boat.

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Information from: The Press of Atlantic City, http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com

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