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How Wrapping Your Buddy's Car in Cellophane Can Be A Crime

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Cellophane wrap roll photo by Swapan via Shutterstock
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Sometimes a practical joke bombs. Or, in this case, it leads to the bomb squad being called out. Thursday afternoon in Anaheim, the owner of a Chevrolet pickup truck was pranked by a co-worker who wrapped his car in cellophane and attached mock warning notes. Now that prankster is facing possible criminal charges.

A passerby who saw the plastic-wrapped truck called authorities, reports City News Service. The vehicle was bearing signs that read "Plastics are hazardous," "Keep distance," and "Truck armed with plastics."

The Anaheim Police Department dispatched officers with a bomb-sniffing dog to the parking lot of the Anaheim Memorial Medical Center where the vehicle was parked, and the area was cordoned off for safety. The area was locked down, and traffic blocked for nearly three hours.

The truck's owner confirmed it was a prank, but authorities weren't amused. They plan to refer the results of their investigation, including a tally of the emergency response costs incurred, to the city attorney for possible prosecution, according to Anaheim PD Sgt. Bob Dunn.

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