NORWALK — A man was arrested for allegedly initiating a “swatting” incident, falsely claiming a woman was being held at gunpoint, which led to a heavy police response last month, authorities said.
Maurice Smith, 39, of Philadelphia, turned himself in to the Norwalk Police Department after a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with the March 17 hoax.
Norwalk Patrol Officers had responded to a residence at 8:31 a.m. after a call was received by NYPD suggesting a woman was in immediate danger.
Upon arrival, officers set up a perimeter and made contact with the residents, only to find that the call was a prank.
The Detective Bureau took over the investigation and determined that Smith, the ex-boyfriend of the supposed victim, made the false report.
Smith faces charges including False Incident Report in the First Degree, Risk of Injury to a Child, and Breach of Peace in the Second Degree.
He was held on a $150,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on April 25.
Swatting is considered a dangerous act that misleads emergency services into believing there is a critical situation, often resulting in an aggressive law enforcement response.
The Norwalk Police Department is urging anyone with further information about this or similar incidents to come forward.
