(Newark, DE 19713) Officers from the New Castle County Division of Police have charged 19-year-old Joseph Mcelwee following a swatting incident. On Friday, June 2, 2023, at 7:06 p.m., Patrol Officers were dispatched to the 2000 block of Grafton Drive – Newark in reference to a report of three males armed with firearms running into an apartment building. Officers immediately responded to the area and cleared the complex. It was later determined that the call was fake. Due to the response, a perimeter was established, roadways were blocked, and apartment complex residents were inconvenienced.

Officers on the scene continued the investigation and were able to identify and locate the original caller. The suspect was identified as 19-year-old Joseph Mcelwee of Newark. Mcelwee was taken into custody without incident and transported to NCCPD headquarters.

Mcelwee was charged with one felony count of terroristic threatening, one felony count of providing a false statement to law enforcement, one felony count of conspiracy in the second degree, and one misdemeanor count of falsely reporting an alleged incident to law enforcement. Mcelwee was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 11 and held in lieu of $3,500.00 secured bail.

The New Castle County Division of Police takes swatting calls seriously as they cause a dangerous disruption to our communities. These types of incidents can cause safety risks to the intended victim, law enforcement, and the public. They also divert and distract resources and first responders that could be aiding legitimate incidents.

Mcelwee, Joseph (19)

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