200 Detained At Hackettstown Bar After Phony Stabbing Report: Cops

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – Customers at Bea McNally’s ran into quite a buzz kill Friday morning when police showed up for a report of a stabbing inside the restaurant, Hackettstown Police Sgt. Darren Tynan said.

Police responded to the Grand Avenue establishment at 1:18 a.m. in reference to a stabbing that allegedly occurred inside the restaurant near the bar, Tynan said.

When officers were on scene, they were advised by dispatch that the alleged stabbing victim left the restaurant. As a result the 200 individuals inside the restaurant were detained so they could be checked to see if anyone had a weapon, and a search of the restaurant was also conducted to see if there was any evidence of a stabbing, Tynan said, but there was no evidence of any crime.

Through cell phone records it was determined that Tyler Orman, 22, of Hackettstown, called 9-1-1 multiple times, stating he was stabbed and on another call stated another individual was stabbed and bleeding in the bar, Tynan said.

Orman was located at his residence and told police he was not injured nor was anyone else and that he only called 9-1-1 to report he had issues with patrons causing problems at the restaurant, Tynan said.

Orman was charged with false public alarm in the third degree and false public alarm in the fourth degree. Bail was set at $7,500 with no 10-percent option. Orman was unable to post bail and placed in the Warren County Correctional Facility.

Officers from Hackettstown, Mansfield, Independence, Washington Township (Warren), Washington Township (Morris), Roxbury, Lebanon Township, and the New Jersey State Police assisted at the scene as well as the Hackettstown Rescue Squad and Saint Clare’s Medic Unit.