Waterbury — A New York driver who reported his car stolen with his child inside in Connecticut Friday ended up under arrest himself after police said he lied about the child in hopes of getting a faster response.

Officers were told that someone made off with the 2016 Mercedes-Benz while it was left running shortly before 9 a.m. Friday at a Waterbury gas station, city police said in a release.

The driver told 911 that his 11-year-old was in the car when it was taken, but officers ultimately determined he fabricated the child's presence to try to make the matter seem more urgent, the release said.

The 36-year-old driver was arrested on a charge of misusing the 911 system. He was released on an appearance ticket, and it wasn't immediately clear whether he had a lawyer who could speak to the charges.

Police had yet to find the car.