Reports of Sidney Crosby arrest in Ottawa confirmed to be false

Several media outlets reported early this morning that Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby had been arrested in Ottawa. They were wrong.

Several media outlets reported early this morning that Penguins star Sidney Crosbyhad been arrested in Ottawa.

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They were wrong.

​The initial report in the Toronto Sun, which has since been taken down, noted that Crosby was driving a rented Porsche and his arrest appeared to be "driving related." According to the same report, Crosby was taken after his arrest to Ottawa police headquarters, were he was booked and had his fingerprints and mug shot taken.

The stories—on the websites of the Sun's papers in both Toronto and Ottawa—were pulled down when it was revealed to be a hoax. The Sun's mobile link, however, is still live.

Called @OttawaPolice & no station can confirm any #SidneyCrosby arrest last night. Most officers I spoke to were shocked to hear it #ottnews

— Mai Habib (@Maikeepsgoing) September 3, 2014

On tape with @CFRAOttawa, @OttawaPolice say "Sidney Crosby not arrested, never came in and is not in a cell" - #ottnews #ottcity

— Mai Habib (@Maikeepsgoing) September 3, 2014

"There is no arrest. He was never arrested by Ottawa Police. He's not in a cell." - @OttawaPolice on tape w/ @CFRAOttawa on #SidneyCrosby

— Mai Habib (@Maikeepsgoing) September 3, 2014

Also called #Gatineau Police & @rcmpgrcpolice who also say they've heard of no #SidneyCrosby arrest. #Ottnews @CFRAOttawa

— Mai Habib (@Maikeepsgoing) September 3, 2014

Penguins confirm, Crosby is in Vail, Colorado training this week.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 3, 2014

Chris Johnston of Sportsnet secured this statement from the team: "The Pittsburgh Penguins have spoken to Sidney Crosby. He is not in Canada, and was not in Canada yesterday."

It's hard to fathom how any legitimate news organization could screw up a story of this magnitude. If Canada's most famous athlete was indeed detained in the nation's capital, there would be an easily traceable paper trail and, presumably, witnesses to attest to the event. To go live with this report without multiple sources, or at least one truly unimpeachable one, defies belief.

"It's a great day for journalism!" -- words not on the wall in the Penguins' dressing room.

— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) September 3, 2014

UPDATE: Nearly eight hours after first running the story, the QMI Agency offered this retraction.

Twittersphere has fun with Crosby arrest hoax

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