Newtown Police Involved In International Hunt For Prank Caller

NEWTOWN, CT — A 16-year-old boy living in the United Kingdom has been arrested in connection with an "investigation into obscene and threatening prank phone calls" made to Newtown schools, and other schools and businesses in the United States and Canada, according to authorities.

The identity of the juvenile was not disclosed due to his age, and Newtown police said that he will not be extradited to the United States. He "will be prosecuted under applicable UK law," however.

"Our schools did receive a few of these calls earlier this month which prompted our involvement in the investigation," Newtown Police Sgt. Jeff Silver wrote in an email to Patch.

The calls "ranged from juvenile type prank calls to calls of imminent violence," Silver added.

Newtown police worked on the investigation with various law enforcement agencies in Arizona, Florida, Virginia, Michigan, Texas, California, Colorado, Canada, in addition to multiple federal agencies. Schools and/or businesses in those states and Canada received calls, which authorities believe came from the same individual.

"Authorities in the United Kingdom were able to quickly locate and take the suspect into custody on 4/13/2022," Silver wrote.

Newtown's School Resource Officer William Chapman and the department's Detective Division oversaw the Newtown portion of the investigation.

"Such investigations are difficult and time consuming, and the Newtown Police extends its sincere thanks to our Interstate and International Law Enforcement partners for helping make a successful resolution possible," Silver said.