'Prank Hostage Situation' In Bridgewater Under Investigation
BRIDGEWATER (CBS) -- A man called Bridgewater Police and said he was going to kill between 10 and 15 hostages if he was not given money early Tuesday morning. The incident is now being investigated as a "prank hostage situation."
"At no time was there a hostage situation. There is no current danger to the public," said police in a statement.
The man called the department's business line multiple times and made different threats, but when police rushed to the home mentioned on Aldrich Road around 4 a.m., they found nothing out of the ordinary.
"While officers were on scene, a juvenile resident of the house called 911 to report that a man she was speaking to on the social media application Houseparty had threatened to harm her," said police.
Investigators believe the man making threats to the girl was the same person calling the police station. The girl had been using Houseparty to talk to three friends.
"A man, unknown to the girl, then gained access to the conversation and began threatening her."
Police are encouraging parents to have discussions with their kids about how to safely use social media, including Houseparty. "The app allows group video chatting, but police at this time are unsure how the unknown male suspect gained access to the juvenile's group conversation."
No further information is available this time. Police are still actively investigating.
