Victorville Hit By Surge Of Swatting Calls; One Home Targeted Repeatedly
VICTORVILLE, Calif. (VVNG.com) — Authorities are investigating a surge of swatting incidents across Victorville after a residence was targeted by approximately nine false emergency calls in two weeks, with additional hoax reports surfacing at other locations in the city.
Gloria Orejel, spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, told VVNG the repeated calls have prompted an ongoing investigation.
Swatting is a dangerous criminal act in which a person makes a false emergency report, often involving a serious or violent scenario, to prompt a large law enforcement response. These calls are designed to appear credible, leading deputies to respond with urgency, even though no actual emergency exists.
According to information provided, deputies responded to multiple reports of alleged assaults at a residence in the 15100 block of Sorrel Road, part of the approximately nine swatting calls reported at that location over the past two weeks, according to Orejel.
The following are some of the documented incidents.
On April 19 at about 10:36 a.m., deputies were dispatched to the Sorrel Road residence following a report of a possible assault. Upon arrival, they contacted the residents, who were cooperative. After further assessment, deputies determined the initial report to be unfounded.
On April 26 at about 12:53 a.m., deputies again responded to a similar report of a possible assault at the same residence. Deputies contacted the residents and, after further assessment, determined the report to be unfounded.
Additionally, on April 26, three separate swatting calls were reported at the Sorrel Road residence, occurring at approximately 12:52 p.m., 4:36 p.m., and 10:00 p.m. All were determined to be unfounded.
In a related incident on April 25 at about 5:42 a.m., deputies responded to the 11800 block of Amargosa Road in Victorville after dispatch received a call from an unknown individual claiming he was going to enter a store and shoot everyone inside. While en route, deputies contacted store loss prevention professionals who reported there was no shooter and no suspicious activity. Out of an abundance of caution, deputies conducted an area check and found nothing suspicious, ultimately determining the call to be a swatting incident.
In the latest incident on April 27 at about 10:21 p.m., deputies responded to the 13200 block of Viejo Circle after a male caller contacted dispatch demanding money. The caller reported he had five hostages inside the residence and threatened to kill them and any deputies who approached the home. Deputies arrived, contacted the residents, and discovered no emergency existed. The call was quickly determined to be a swatting incident.
Authorities have not released information regarding suspects or motives in the ongoing investigation.
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