Jul 31, 2023

Kansas woman accused of reporting fake hostage situation

Posted Jul 31, 2023 12:00 AM
Freeby-photo Shawnee County
Freeby-photo Shawnee County

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for making an alleged false police report that generated a large police presence. 

Just after 4 a.m. Friday, police were dispatched to a home in the 2900 block of SE Indiana Ave. in Topeka in reference what was reported as a hostage situation, according to a media release from police.

Given the nature of the call, significant police resources responded to the home.

Given the nature of the call, significant police resources responded to the home.-photo courtesy WIBW TV
Given the nature of the call, significant police resources responded to the home.-photo courtesy WIBW TV

During the course of the investigation, officers learned that there was no hostage situation at the home, and that a false police report was made.

Investigators quickly determined the swatting call originated from a nearby home in the same block on SE Indiana Avenue.

The suspect, later identified as Veronica E. Freeby, 33 of Topeka, was taken into custody without incident, later arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Transmit/communicate false info to request emergency service; w/threat of violent activity ad aShawnee County warrant

Freeby and the involved parties are known to one another, and this is believed to have been an isolated incident. There were no injuries during this incident.