A bogus call about a man harming his wife and children resulted in police surrounding a home in Strathroy.
Strathroy-Caradoc police said they got a call around 11 p.m. Sunday from a man who said he had harmed his family and was armed with a weapon at a home on Front Street. Police responded and contained the home. A call for assistance was made to the OPP Tactics and Rescue team, but it did not attend because officers on the scene quickly determined that the call was fake and that everyone in the home was safe.
"Police investigation revealed that one call was made from an Internet-based phone number somewhere in Southern California and the second call was based in Montreal," police said in a news release issued Monday. "Police investigation revealed that this call was consistent with similar incidents reported throughout Canada and the United States, known as “SWATing.”
The act of "swatting" involves a person calling emergency services and making a false report in order to get a response to an address.
Police are still investigating and are asking anyone with information to contact the Strathroy-Caradoc Police Criminal Investigation Division (519)245-1250. Should you wish to remain anonymous you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
