False Attempted Abduction Report at Fort Oglethorpe Burger King Prompts Police Investigation

FORT OGLETHORPE, Ga. — An attempted abduction reported at a Burger King in Fort Oglethorpe earlier this month was determined to be unfounded following a police investigation, authorities said.

According to the Fort Oglethorpe Police Department, officers responded on February 17, 2026, to the Burger King located at 831 Battlefield Parkway after receiving a report of a possible attempted abduction involving a restaurant employee.

Initial Report Prompted BOLO

Before officers arrived, the suspect, described as a masked male driving a black panel van, had already left the area.

Police met with the complainant and gathered an initial statement indicating that a female employee had been taking trash to an outdoor receptacle when a masked man allegedly tried to get her to approach his vehicle. The employee reportedly became frightened, ran back inside the restaurant, and alerted management.

No physical contact was reported, but officers issued a Be On the Lookout (BOLO) alert for the vehicle and increased patrols in the area while the investigation continued.

Surveillance Review Reveals Incident Did Not Occur

During follow-up investigative work, officers reviewed surveillance video from the business. Police said the footage determined that the reported incident did not occur and that the information provided to the complainant was false.

Authorities stated the false report is now being handled through appropriate channels, though no additional details have been released.

Police Address Social Media Concerns

The department noted it received numerous inquiries after information about the alleged incident circulated widely on social media.

Officials emphasized their commitment to transparency and public safety, explaining that updates are provided as investigations develop and verified information becomes available.

Police say there is no ongoing threat to the public related to this incident.