SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A Syracuse teen has been charged with falsely reporting an abduction.

Police say Bobby Loper Jr., 16, sent text messages to his friends and family Thursday, claiming he had been abducted and was in trouble. Those who received the texts contacted police who then launched a search for Loper.

Police found Loper eight hours later unharmed at a relative’s house on the southside of the city. They say a large police force was used to help locate the teen, which also diverted attention from other areas of the city.

Loper has been charged with falsely reporting an incident and was issued a court appearance ticket.