A motorcycle that was reported stolen July 9 in Tamaqua actually wasn’t, Tamaqua police said.

The “victim” told police that he later learned the motorcycle was taken as part of a prank.

The incident began around 7 p.m., when police received a report of a motorcycle stolen from North Lehigh Street. The victim said the motorcycle was last seen around 6 p.m.

Police said officers issued a be on the lookout for the motorcycle, and spoke to a neighbor, who had footage of a man taking the bike.

About a half-hour later West Penn Township police picked up the motorcycle heading south on Route 309 on their license plate reader.

The next day, police said the owner visited the police station to report that the theft of the motorcycle was a joke and a prank that was played in response to a previous prank. The motorcycle was returned, police said.