STOCKTON, Calif. — Some northern California commuters received quite the scare Monday morning, and the California Highway Patrol fielded a call reporting a body floating near Highway 99 in Stockton.
The only things responding officers discovered upon arrival, however, were multiple mannequin limbs and torsos, KOVR reported.
Because homicides in Stockton have surged in the past year, however, CHP officer Ruben Jones said he and his colleagues responded with all due speed and professionalism but quickly realized a ruse was afoot.
“The first visual is ‘Oh, my gosh,’ and then you kind of go, ‘Wait a second. There’s a leg here, a leg there,’” Jones told the TV station, after following up on a truck driver’s 8 a.m. call. “Sometimes we see the worst scenarios in different situations, but this one we got a good laugh out of it and a good chuckle.”
Jones also seized an opportunity to have a little fun with the situation, jokingly posting on Facebook about the myth of the Stockton Kracken getting revenge on Valentine’s Day, he told KOVR.
“We’re not sure where these mannequins came from or how they got in the water, but have no fear ... no mannequins were injured or killed in the making, creating or writing of this post,” the CHP post reads.
Per the tongue-in-cheek mythology lesson, the post continued:
“Legend has it that the Stockton Kraken was rejected thousands of years ago by the Princess Andromeda. Burdened with a broken heart, it’s been said that every Valentine’s Day the Kraken is released and wreaks havoc on Stockton, as his heart still bleeds with love for the Princess Andromeda.”
“This year was no different,” the post continued. “You can see the remains of the Kraken’s victims as they float lifelessly in the water..... Beware of the Kraken, for next Valentine’s Day you may be his next victim.”
Jones concluded the post making sure readers understood the “legend” is only a joke.
“Story time is now over boys and girls. Only in Stockton!!”
Cox Media Group
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