MONROE, NJ – Swatting may seem like a harmless prank to those who do it, but diverting police resources is dangerous and a crime.
Police in Monroe is continuing to investigate multiple swatting incidents that took place this summer. This week, they made an arrest, showing that the department takes the crime seriously and won’t give up until they find their suspect.
Today, police announced the arrest of Rakim D. Anderson for making numerous calls to the Gloucester County Emergency Response Center reporting a person with a gun that was going to shoot themselves.
“During each call, various businesses along or near N. Black Horse Pike were named as the location. The calls prompted a thorough police response during each event, which often caused a disruption to our businesses,” the Monroe Police Department said in a statement today. “As a result of a three-month investigation and the collection of various digital evidence, Rakim D. Anderson was identified as the suspect.”
Anderson, according to a police complaint, made the calls while he was temporarily residing at the Pike Inn Motel.
A warrant was issued for his arrest, and he was located and arrested on October 6th in Delanco Township.
He was charged with 13 counts of False Public Alarm and remanded to Salem County Jail.