Boy arrested for yelling 'bingo' in bingo hall

COVINGTON, K.Y. (WHDH) -- You've heard it before - you can't yell fire in a crowded theater.

So what happens when you yell ‘bingo’ in a crowded bingo hall?

Well, one northern Kentucky teen found out the hard way.

“Old MacDonald had a farm...E-I-E-I-O,” Austyn Whaley battles temptation to sing a favorite song, “Ringo was his name-o.”

He's coming up with work-arounds.

“I try to say it backwards like 'ognib'. Something along the lines of that,” said Whaley.

It began at the Pike Street Bingo Hall as mostly elderly women played a game, Whaley walked in & hollered, "Bingo".

“They just looked at me, then looked back down,” said Whaley.

Park Hills officer Richard Webster sprang into action.

“He grabbed my hand, handcuffed me, takes me to the back of his cruiser,” said Whaley.

The citation reads the 'violator' caused 'alarm to patrons'.

“I'm processing this right now ‘cause he just told me about it,” said Whaley’s mom, Stacy Whaley.

Austyn Whaley's mom and sister are eager to help.

“An intervention might need to be set up, we'll have practice runs to make sure you know when to call Bingo,” said Madelyn Whaley, his sister, with a laugh.

They've forced Austyn to change his dog walking route - ensuring he doesn't pass the bingo hall,” said

Austyn said the Kenton County judge asked if he was serious when he described why he was charged with disorderly conduct.

“He's a good guy. I'm glad that he…I'm glad I wasn't the only one who thought the charge was crazy. I'm glad he was really cool about it,” said Austyn Whaley.

Apparently the bailiff was too.

“He wrote down on a piece of paper the word and said, 'What's that word again'? I said 'I'm sorry, I can't say that',” said Whaley.

Now, word hit the streets outside the bingo hall.

“That’s crazy, that's insane right there. That's hilarious,” said one man.

Bottom line, lesson learned.

“Kids out there, don't say 'Mingo' in the 'Mingo' Hall,” said Whaley.

It’s already earned Austyn a new nickname and new Facebook friends.

Austyn said if he holds up his end of the deal, the judge will clear his case.