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Police Looking for Prankster Behind 'Swatting' Incident at Ashton Kutcher's Home
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The Los Angeles Police Department are working to trace the call that came in Wednesday that indicated there was a robbery and "shots fired" at the Hollywood home of actor Ashton Kutcher. The call was deemed a hoax after authorities swarmed the scene, detained all those on the property, and determined the only crime was the phony call.This kind of prank, known as "swatting," is a criminal offense, and the LAPD are looking for the caller. The call came in to the department's Hollywood Station via teletype message, sent using a machine typically used by a person who is deaf or otherwise hearing-impaired, according to City News Service. The message indicated there had been shots fired, and that the person sending the message was hiding in a closet.
In response, the cops sent out the works, believing they had a potential hostage situation.
That's exactly the response a "swatting" prankster hopes for.
Kutcher was not home at the time of the incident. He sent out a Tweet from his workplace:
Safe an sound at two and a half men. Don't miss tomorrow night 8:30 pic.twitter.com/bI7L0j7M
— ashton kutcher (@aplusk) October 3, 2012
The actor sent his assistant to the home to speak with police, and confirmed there was no trouble at the residence.
In August, a similar prank was played at the home of singer and actress Miley Cyrus. In response, LAPD Officer Karen Rayner says the cops don't take these kinds of pranks lightly. If found, the prankster could face arrest, penalties, and possibly criminal prosecution.
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The LAPD say they are working on tracing the teletype distress call in the Kutcher case.
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