PORTLAND, Maine — An investigation is underway to determine who called in what authorities say was hoax Sunday evening that led to a response by state, county and local police agencies along with fire and rescue personnel and tactical resources.
Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce says the regional communications center received a call about 8 p.m. Sunday from a man who said he had shot his girlfriend at a residence in Standish and had taken some hostages.
Joyce says that when authorities arrived, they found that nothing happened in the house and the residents were not in any danger.
Joyce says it's believed that this was a case of what's known as "swatting," which may be done as a prank or in revenge.
He says the apparent hoax cost authorities $8,000-$10,000.
"And the other thing to consider is, while all of that equipment was assigned to that particular call, and we were trying to verify whether or not it was a legitimate call or not, it also had the possibility of taking resources from people who may have needed it," Joyce says.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff's office.
