Perris Man Suspected Of Swatting, Bogus 911 Calling, Out On Bail

PERRIS, CA — A 20-year-old probationer suspected of making multiple 911 calls over a monthslong period describing fake emergencies in Perris that prompted law enforcement officers and other first responders to rush to scenes where nothing was happening, wasting time and resources, was released from custody Thursday after posting a $5,000 bond.

Elvis Ponce of Perris was arrested and booked into the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta Wednesday on suspicion of providing false reports of an emergency, making a false report of a crime and probation violations.

Ponce was released from custody Thursday morning after meeting his bond obligation, jail records showed.

Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Chad Thompson alleged the 911 calls started in February and continued until recently, during which the suspect reported bogus "domestic violence incidents occurring, armed robberies occurring, gunshots occurring, assaults occurring and suspects with guns near the public."

"When these types of calls for service were received, deputies sometimes responded with emergency lights and sirens, surrounded businesses and residences and contacted citizens in an effort to preserve life," Thompson said. "Only after arriving at these calls for service did the investigations prove the calls were falsified."

Detectives worked to trace the point of origin for the calls and ultimately identified the source as Ponce, the sergeant alleged.

The suspect was taken into custody without incident at a residence on Agile Court Wednesday evening.

Background information on Ponce, including the basis for his term of probation, was unavailable.