That's definitely false, I know people who panicked. Not sure about the crimes though. But plenty of people genuinely believed they were spending their last moments alive.
For some, the only thing stopping them from committing crimes is the threat of punishment. In a situation like that, that element no longer exists. I don't imagine it'll be many, though.
Some people don't commit crimes because they fear punishment, and end-of-the-world scenario would free them of consequences.
I'm over 50, so I would try to receive the end in peace with as much of my family as possible, but 30 years ago I might have taken the car and race on the highway because it's a fun way to go.
There's a genre of Youtube video where somebody goes to visit relatives and pops a USB stick into into the TV with a fake Emergency Broadcast System message.
