Volunteer Firefighter In New Jersey Accused Of Calling In False Alarms
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Police have made an arrest in a series of false fire alarms phoned into the 911 system in Piscataway, New Jersey.
South Plainfield resident Justin Tran, 18, is charged with 14 counts of causing public alarm.
Police said Tran, a volunteer firefighter, possibly made the calls because he wanted more experience responding to emergencies.
According to authorities, the teen made numerous phone calls reporting suspicious odors and smoke conditions, which proved unfounded.
Tran is also accused of reporting a small fire in a park which was extinguished by a police officer before the fire company arrived.
Tran was a member of Arbor Hose Company 1. Most of the calls were placed last month.
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)