Groton Police Get Hoax 911 Calls About Hostage Situation, Explosives
GROTON (CBS) - Police say they received hoax 911 calls about a hostage situation and explosives Monday afternoon in Groton.
Officers received a call around 2:45 p.m. The caller said that there was a threat to a family on Main Street, WBZ-TV's Bill Shields reports.
They set up a perimeter and shut down Route 119.
While at the scene, police received a second call about the possibility of an explosive device at a nearby location.
Police searched the area and deemed it safe.
Police chief Don Palma says the calls forced the department to use resources that could have been used elsewhere.
"...It ties up manpower. It ties up the street. It effectively closes the street location which makes it hard for other public safety people to do their jobs," he said.
A bomb squad, officers from Ayer, Dunstable, Pepperell, Littleton and State Police were called to the scene. Groton fire was also called.
Officials at Dunstable Regional School District were called and precautions were taken despite no threat being made against the school.
No arrests have been made.
The incident remains under investigation.