What! He Made How Many 911 Calls?

[February 16, 2008]  HAYWARD, Calif. (AP) -- Authorities have arrested a prolific 911 cell phone caller who is believed to have made more than 27,000 emergency calls, overwhelming California Highway Patrol and Hayward 911 systems.

The 911 calls started flooding in last May. The caller responded to emergency operators with bodily noises, muttering and pressing beep tones.

John Triplette was arrested Wednesday night for investigation of abusing the 911 emergency line, a misdemeanor.

Hayward officials say the 45-year-old man "completely overwhelmed our system" and delayed helping others with real emergencies.

The CHP communication center in Vallejo started getting bogus 911 calls last May, then the Hayward center began getting the calls in January.

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Information from: San Francisco Chronicle, http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle

[Associated Press]

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