(BARTHOLOMEW CO.) – A 14-year-old boy was arrested in Bartholomew County after police say he made a false 911 call.
The fake emergency call took place early Tuesday morning in Hartsville.
The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department says that at approximately 3:17 a.m. on Tuesday, deputies were called to the 20000 block of East State Road 46 after a dispatcher received a call about three armed subjects trying a break-in.
The following it the 911 call:
Dispatch: 911 what is your emergency?
Caller: I’m in Hartsville. Gas station. They’re trying to break in.
Dispatch: Okay. Hartsville gas station and what?
Caller: Someone’s trying to break-in.
Dispatch: Someone’s trying to break in? Hold on just a minute while I get ‘em going okay.
Caller: And they have guns.
Multiple officers responded to find the building secure and no one around.
During their investigation, deputies were able to obtain the caller’s address. When they arrived, the 14-year-old juvenile’s mother told police her son was staying with a friend in Hartsville.
Deputies retrieved the boy and returned him to his home where he allegedly confessed to making the call because he was bored.
The juvenile was arrested on preliminary misdemeanor charges of false reporting of a crime and placement of a 911 call for prohibited purposes.
“Making a false 911 call is a criminal offense. This young man knowingly made a false call that took our deputies out of other areas where someone might have truly needed their help,” says Sheriff Matt Myers. “This is not only against the law, but it is extremely dangerous.”
Upon arrival at the detention center, deputies say the boy was also found to be concealing tobacco products in his clothing for which he was also charged.
The county sheriff hopes the teen’s arrest serves as an important safety lesson.
“The 14-year-old said he was bored and felt it would be neat to see a police response,” says Sheriff Myers. “This is a reminder for parents to have conversations with their kids.”
