Two guys jumped off the Ocean City-Longport Bridge Monday, apparently for fun, police said.
The leapers were arrested, along with two friends who allegedly were waiting in a boat to pick them up.
A report of someone jumping off the bridge prompted a massive water-rescue effort from four police departments, the State Marine Police and the U.S. Coast Guard, according to the Press of Atlantic Cty. Police said the men had reason to know this and did nothing to stop the rescue attempt, prompting charges against all four for creating a false public alarm.
Police said a motorist driving into town saw one of the suspects sitting on the railing at around 1:27 a.m. Monday. When the driver stopped and asked if he needed a ride, the man jumped off the 65-foot bridge into Great Egg Harbor Bay. The driver reported it to a toll attendant, who relayed it to police.
Eventually, a patrol officer noticed a small dinghy heading to a sailboat nearby. This lead authorities to the suspects.
Police said Jason E. Kelly, 26, of Medford, and Erick Pelkofsky, 22, of Springfield, Pa., jumped off the bridge. The men waiting for them were Justin J. Theno, 24, of New Gretna, and Michael H. Rybas, 28, of Bensalem. Pa. All were released on a court summons.
