
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 8, 1990                   TAG: 9003081990
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A/2   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW BUFFALO, MICH.                                 LENGTH: Short

TEENS FACE CHARGES IN HOAX CALL

A phony distress call that prompted an all-night search of frosty Lake Michigan could lead to a jail sentence for two teen-agers.

A caller Sunday told the Coast Guard station at Michigan City, Ind., that a cabin cruiser was sinking and that he and three other passengers were going into the lake with life preservers.

A Coast Guard rescue boat, two helicopters and private boats searched for about 12 hours into Monday morning before suspending the mission.

The Coast Guard received a tip Monday that the call was a hoax by two New Buffalo High School students. Under questioning, they confessed and named a third student, authorities said Wednesday.

Authorities said they would try to force the teen-agers to pay the $28,366 spent on the search.

by CNB