18-year-old arrested after reporting fake armed robbery at Safeway in Leesburg

LEESBURG, Va. ( DC News Now ) — An 18-year-old man has been arrested and charged after reporting a fake robbery at a Safeway in Leesburg on Saturday night.

Officials said that on July 13 at about 7 p.m., the Leesburg Police received a report of an armed robbery at a Safeway located at 437 South King St.

The caller said he saw a man being robbed by two suspects with knives.

Officers determined the call was a hoax and they were able to identify 18-year-old Caleb Wolfe of Leesburg, as the person who made the call.

He has been charged with one misdemeanor count of false emergency communication to emergency personnel.

Wolfe was issued a summons to appear in court.

“Filing a false report not only wastes valuable resources but also creates a significant safety issue by diverting emergency personnel away from where they are truly needed,” said Leesburg Police Chief Thea Pirnat. “This irresponsible behavior generates unnecessary fear and anxiety within our community and undermines the trust that we work hard to build with those we serve.”

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