Mass. police get hoax calls of explosives, hostages

GROTON, Mass. -- Pranksters this week had police from multiple Massachusetts agencies scouring for non-existent explosives and hostages, reports CBS Boston.

Police say they received hoax 911 calls Monday afternoon, reporting that a family was being held hostage in Groton, in north-central Massachusetts. While at the scene, police received a second call about the possibility of an explosive device at a nearby location.

Police searched the area and determined it was safe.

Groton Police Chief Don Palma says the calls forced the department to use resources that could have been used elsewhere.

"It ties up manpower. It ties up the street. It effectively closes the street location which makes it hard for other public safety people to do their jobs," Palma said.

A bomb squad, officers from four nearby towns and the Massachusetts State Police were called to the scene. The Groton Fire Department was also called.

The incident remains under investigation.