Fake Hostage Report Gets Fresno County Man Arrested

FRESNO (AP) -- Police say a man has been arrested after calling in a fake hostage report east of Sanger.

The Fresno Bee reports that a 50-year-old Sanger man called the Fresno County Sheriff's Office on Monday evening and claimed his wife was one of several people being held hostage in a restaurant.

Sheriff spokesman Tony Botti says the man said his wife sent him a message about men trying to rob the business. Deputies determined it was a false report after calling in a SWAT team and searching the building.

Botti says the man has a history of making false reports and his ex-wife has a restraining order against him. Authorities contacted the ex-wife, who said she was never a hostage.

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