Alleged Bureau County carjacking attack is an apparent hoax

An alleged carjacking attack is an apparent hoax.  Bureau County residents listening to their police scanners received a scare Sunday afternoon when they heard a report of an apparent carjacking at Route 26 and Interstate 180.  The report said the victim had his throat cut and he had been taken to a Peoria hospital.  Bureau County Sheriff John Thompson says the 27-year old man did have his throat cut, but authorities believe the wounds to be self-inflicted.  Thompson says the Spring Valley resident has a history of mental illness.  The man apparently told a rambling story of being attacked by two men who took his car, but the sheriff says there is no evidence to support the allegations.  The man’s vehicle was also found in the area.  Thompson says he expects incidents like this to increase in number due to cuts to healthcare both statewide and nationwide leading to a lack of appropriate care for the mentally ill.  An investigation continues by the Bureau County Sheriff’s Department.