Hostage Prank Caller Also Threaten Girl Over Social Media: Cops

BRIDGEWATER, MA — Police thought they had a hostage situation on their hands but it turned out to be anything but that.

Bridgewater Police Chief Christopher Delmonte confirmed Tuesday morning that the Bridgewater Police Department that they responded to a prank that alluded to a hostage situation at a home in town.

Police say they got a call early Tuesday morning from a man who said they had 10 to 15 hostages inside a home on Aldrich Place he was going kill if he didn't get the money he demanded. At the scene, officers found nothing out of the ordinary.

While near the house, a juvenile who lives inside the house called 911 to report a man who was speaking with her over the Houseparty app and threatened to harm her. Police believe that the man who entered the chat is the same person who make the prank call.

The preliminary investigation indicates that the juvenile had been using the live video group chat app and was chatting with three friends. A man, unknown to the girl, then gained access to the conversation and began threatening her, police said.

Police are not sure how the man was able to access the girl's group chat.

The incident is under police investigation.

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