Police: Suspicious Item at Santa Margarita Catholic High a Hoax

A student was overheard claiming to have some sort of an explosive device in his locker at Santa Margarita Catholic High School, prompting the Orange County Sheriff’s Department bomb squad to investigate this morning.

The incident, which happened at the start of the school day, turned out to be a hoax, said Lt. Jeff Hallock.

“Our response was based on one student overhearing another student’s conversation,” Hallock.

The concern was serious enough for the bomb squad to be called and for students to shelter in place, he said. However, as soon as police arrived, the student involved came forward to say that he did not have an explosive. He told authorities he had been playing a prank when he was overheard claiming to have an explosive, Hallock said.

No arrests were made in the incident, but, “the school resource officer will be dealing with him and his parents to explain the error of his ways,” Hallock added.

It remains possible that the case could be referred to the juvenile court for further handling, he added.