Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a 16-year-old male of unincorporated Grayslake after calling 911 to report a fake crime in progress, known as “swatting.”

On January 8, 2020, at approximately 2:20PM, Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies initially responded to a 911 hang-up call at an apartment complex in the 33600 block of North Royal Oak Lane, unincorporated Grayslake.  The call was made by a cellular phone, and the caller shut the phone off immediately after calling.  Sheriff’s Deputies checked numerous apartments and there was no indication of anyone needing any help.

At approximately 4:30PM, another cellular 911 call was received by the Lake County Sheriff’s Emergency Communications Center.  This time, a caller indicated they were being held against their will, were injured, and observed a firearm.  The caller provided an apartment number, hung up, and shut off their phone.  Sheriff’s Deputies responded back and checked the specific apartment, but again, there were no signs of anyone in distress.  

At approximately 5:45PM, the Lake County Sheriff’s Emergency Communications Center received another 911 call, this time the caller said they were about to be shot.  The caller then hung up and again shut off their phone.  

Through advanced software, sheriff’s telecommunicators were able to pinpoint the exact apartment number the caller was calling from, which was different than the initially reported apartment.  

When sheriff’s deputies entered the apartment that telecommunicators determined was the origin of the calls, they found a 16-year-old male.  The 16-year-old admitted to making prank telephone calls to 911.  He was arrested and is being petitioned to the juvenile court system on two counts of false reporting to 911 (class 4 felonies).  

All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.