Home Invasion Hoax Brings Out Dozens of Police in Rye

Dozens of police officers descended on a Rye home at about 3 p.m. Wednesday in response to an alleged home robbery and shooting–only to learn the information they received was part of a hoax.

It began with a frantic text to a hearing-imparied emergency phone line in Rye Brook.

A person alerted authorities through a text message that a home in Rye had been broken into by three men, one of whom was armed with a shotgun, and that an individual had been shot. The message continued, saying the victims had barricaded themselves in a room using furniture.

A second emergency text soon followed. "It's getting worse," it read.

Police were swift to respond, sending about 30 authorities from Harrison, Rye and Westchester County police departments to the alleged crime scene at 105 North Street. They closed the roadway from Hammond Road to Theodore Freeman Ave., and a helicopter cirlced overhead.

But when officers made a tactical entry, they found one woman and three teenage boys inside—none of whom were harmed, or even aware of the situation.

"Obviously, someone filed a fake complaint, which I believe is a felony," said William Connors, Rye's police commissioner.

Police said there is no reason to believe the four residents inside the home were involved in the hoax.

"A number of dangers arise from situations like this," Connors added, referring to the number of officers that were called out for a false alarm.

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