Local

Man accused of making several bogus 911 calls arrested

PITTSBURGH — Authorities in Allentown arrested a man who they said made several bogus 911 calls using a two-way radio.

According to police, 30-year-old Drayton Sphar made at least five calls from a home on Millbridge Street in the past two months.

Investigators said the calls were to report fights, break-ins and dangerous dogs. However, whenever officers responded to Millbridge and nearby streets, they found nothing.

“This was all a shock. I had just gotten off work and had three cops in my house,” said Hillary Tumas, who answered the door at Sphar’s home.

Tumas told Channel 11's Renee Kaminski she was surprised to hear the accusations against Sphar.

“I’ve never heard him talk on (a two-way radio). I’ve seen his scanners, but that’s it," Tumas said.

Zone 3 police officers released the following statement Wednesday: “These incidents cause officers to respond at a faster rate of speed due to the possibility of people being injured, also putting officers’ lives in danger.”

Allentown residents agree with police that the bogus calls need to stop.

“There are enough real calls around here. We don’t need fake ones,” said Aaron Carter.

Sphar remains jailed Wednesday night.