Police: School threats likely linked to hoaxes across nation


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PRINCETON, N.J. (AP) — Police say bogus calls threatening children at two New Jersey schools are likely connected to the same suspects in similar hoaxes across the country.

NJ.com reports (http://bit.ly/1L4Awap ) Princeton Police Chief Nick Sutter told council Monday that the threats likely came from the same group that's responsible for similar incidents in other areas. The hoaxes are known as swatting, where a caller falsely reports an emergency situation. The fake calls typically draw a heavily-armed police response.

John Witherspoon Middle School received a pre-recorded message from a woman on May 12 claiming to have a weapon and threatening to harm children. Riverside Elementary School received the same call last month.

State lawmakers are considering legislation that would toughen penalties for swatting.

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Information from: NJ.com, http://www.nj.com

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