Man arrested for lying about missing boater

Tools

by Vanessa Murphy

Story Created: Aug 13, 2012 at 5:31 PM CDT

Story Updated: Aug 14, 2012

RACINE CO. --- A man who was reported missing on Lake Michigan Monday morning was found safely, and the friend who reported him missing was arrested.

Jeffrey Martin, 44, was arrested for providing false information to law enforcement.

Police searched Lake Michigan in Wind point for about four and a half hours after Martin told police that his friend, Richard Herek, 49, was missing. Police also said Martin claimed a wave crashed into the pair's boat, and he swam about an hour to the shore.

Martin was highly intoxicated, according to the Racine County Sheriff's Lieutenant Dan Klatt.

According to the Sheriff's Office, Herek was later found sleeping behind a nearby garage and was never missing.

Poll

Did you plant your Garden Yet?

  • Yes
  • No