There was a mass law enforcement response Thursday night in Dover following a call reporting injuries, but it turned out to be a hoax.
The 7:06pm call had Dover, New Philadelphia Police and Special Response Team, Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Dover Street department responding to a home on E. Front Street, says Dover Detective Captain Chad Mowrer.
“The Dover police department received a call of distress saying that someone had harmed some else located here on Front Street.”
A notice was sent out for residents in the area to shelter in place, with some home occupants being evacuated.
As the scene was secured, further investigation confirmed one person lives at the home, but the original call was not from his phone number.
“It was found that the homeowner was actually at work. Nobody else in the home and it’s believed to be one of the ever-popular swatting incidents.”
Swatting involves a fabricated emergency to facilitate a large law enforcement response. Police will continue to investigate the origin of the initial call.
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