Threat determined to be bogus in South Strabane
A threat called into the state police barracks in North Bethlehem Township Tuesday night about a possible hostage situation at a South Strabane Township home was determined to be bogus.
A man reportedly called state police about 9 p.m. claiming he was inside a home in the Washington Woods development armed with a 9mm handgun and a butcher knife. He said he had hostages.
The caller also reported he would shoot state and township police when they responded to the residence. Township police staged near the area.
Township police called the home and spoke with a woman who was inside the residence. She told police there was no problem. Township police checked the house and cleared it. There was no threat and the situation was quickly resolved without asking the Washington Regional SWAT unit to respond.
Township police said the incident was determined to be “swatting,” which was described as a prank call to emergency services that will cause the dispatch of police and SWAT teams. Police said the telephone number used by the caller appeared to be cloned.