Photo unrelated to the article. [Getty Images Bank]
Photo unrelated to the article. [Getty Images Bank]

A man has been arrested after filing a false police report claiming a woman was being assaulted in a neighboring apartment.

The incident occurred in August at the Hwajeong district police post under the Gwangju Western Police Station and was recently featured on JTBC's crime news program "Sageon Banjang."

Officers received a call that morning reporting that a man in a neighboring unit was beating a woman. Treating it as a potential domestic violence emergency, police immediately responded to the scene.

A second call came in just as officers arrived at the building, with the caller saying the assault was still ongoing. A third call followed as officers made their way to the reported unit.

Officers confirmed the address with the caller but found the doorbell broken and received no response after knocking.

Police asked the caller again whether he had actually heard sounds of an assault and whether he had the right address. The caller insisted he had heard a woman screaming and the sounds of a beating right up until officers arrived.

Police decided to force entry, considering the possibility that someone inside was injured or that an assailant remained on the premises. Officers entered with firearms and Tasers drawn and searched all the way to the balcony in case of any threat.

The apartment was empty, with no signs of any assault.

Police tried to reach the caller but could not get through. Using call records, they traced his address and went to his home.

When officers asked whether he had called to report a woman being beaten next door, the man denied making any such call. But when police dialed the number registered to the report, his mobile phone rang.

When officers asked him to check the text messages on his phone, the man appeared flustered and admitted to making the report, according to police. He was taken to the district post for questioning.

A total of 13 personnel, including police and fire department staff, were dispatched to the scene because of the false report. Police referred the man to prosecutors without detention on charges of obstructing official duties through deception.

Police said the resident of the targeted apartment had no prior acquaintance with the caller and no known grievance against him.

Police also apologized to the resident whose door had been forced open and said they would compensate for the damage.

The resident said he had "never met" the caller and added, "I have no idea why I became the target of a false report."


choigo@heraldcorp.com