Fake Call Claims Hostages in Elk Grove, EGPD Subjected to 'Swatting' Call

December 8, 2014 | 

Elk Grove Police were subject to a so-called "swatting" call early Friday night by an unknown suspect.

According to department reports, Elk Grove Police received a call on the non-emergency line from the male suspect that he was on the 6800 block of Fall Breeze court and that he was armed with weapons ans explosives. The call also said he was holding hostages and was demanding money.

In response, officers surrounded the reported residence and contacted the residents by phone who said they were not home and the dwelling should be unoccupied.

Police determined the incident to be a hoax, or a so-called "swating" call. The incident was classified under California Penal Code 148.3(A) which states 148.3. (a) Any individual who reports, or causes any report to be made, to any city, county, city and county, or state department, district, agency, division, commission, or board, that an "emergency" exists, knowing that the report is false, is guilty of a misdemeanor county jail for a period not exceeding one year, or by a fine not and upon conviction thereof shall be punishable by imprisonment in a exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that imprisonment and fine.