LITTLE CHUTE, WI (WTAQ) – A report of a disturbance and death Thursday in Little Chute turned out to be a prank call.
Fox Valley Metro police responded to the 1700 block of Buchanan Street around 8 p.m. for a report of a family disturbance resulting in a death. Officers were informed that a suspect was armed with a rifle and explosives, with plans to confront officers who responded.
The area around the home was secured, and neighbors were asked to shelter in place. But before officers stormed the house, they got a call.
“The dispatcher was able to realize there was a report from several weeks ago that the homeowner was concerned about this type of thing happening going forward, and relayed that to our officers on scene,” said Lieutenant Mark Wery. “We’re fortunate because it changes the response, not altogether, but somewhat in terms of the type of perimeter that is set up, how you’re making contact, all those sorts of things.”
Wery pointed out that the Fox Valley has a fairly comprehensive records management system. Any note or report that a police officer in Little Chute or anywhere in Outagamie County takes, they all have access to it.
Still, officers had to make contact with those who lived at the home.
“We were able to make contact with the people inside of the home and determine there was, in fact, not an emergency. We still did clear the residence, just to be certain. We were able to ultimately rule that this was just a bad hoax or prank,” Wery told WTAQ News.
Dozens of officers from Fox Valley Metro, Kaukauna, and Appleton Police responded to the call. Bringing in reinforcements and specialty teams like drone operators costs money, that in this case, didn’t need to be spent.
“It not only comes from a cost perspective of they’re not available in their communities but there’s an actual financial costs associated with this,” Wery said. “There’s cost associated with that. It’s just unfortunate that the bill is now left for everyone else as the result of poor judgment or a hoax.”
Police will continue to investigate the call, and will work with the local FBI bureau to figure out who might’ve been behind it.
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