Russell Brand victim of 'swatting' prank - CNN

Russell Brand victim of 'swatting' prank

By CNN Staff

Updated 1724 GMT (0124 HKT) April 9, 2013

Comedian Russell Brand's Hollywood home is reportedly the latest target of celebrity "swatting," in which false 911 calls are made reporting incidents at celebrities' homes. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/08/showbiz/russell-brand-swatted/index.html?hpt=hp_c3">Los Angeles police went to Brand's home</a> at 3:35 p.m. on Monday, April 8, in response to a call about an armed man being at his residence, but determined it was a "fraudulent call." The officer who responded said she didn't know if Brand was home at the time.
Photos: Victims of celebrity 'swatting'
Victims of celebrity 'swatting' – Comedian Russell Brand's Hollywood home is reportedly the latest target of celebrity "swatting," in which false 911 calls are made reporting incidents at celebrities' homes. Los Angeles police went to Brand's home at 3:35 p.m. on Monday, April 8, in response to a call about an armed man being at his residence, but determined it was a "fraudulent call." The officer who responded said she didn't know if Brand was home at the time.
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On April 4, Rihanna's Pacific Palisades residence was reportedly implicated in another celebrity "swatting" incident. According to the <a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-rihanna-swatting-incident-has-police-frustrated-20130405,0,7564868.story" target="_blank">Los Angeles Times</a>, a caller told law enforcement officials that someone had been shot inside her home. Officials quickly figured out that the call was another hoax.
Photos: Victims of celebrity 'swatting'
Rihanna – On April 4, Rihanna's Pacific Palisades residence was reportedly implicated in another celebrity "swatting" incident. According to the Los Angeles Times, a caller told law enforcement officials that someone had been shot inside her home. Officials quickly figured out that the call was another hoax.
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Police visited Chris Brown's Hollywood Hills home on Monday after a call about an alleged domestic violence incident. Brown wasn't home, according to<a href="http://ktla.com/2013/01/22/chris-brown-latest-celebrity-4swatting4-victim/#axzz2IiHd5ISE" target="_blank"> KTLA.</a>
Photos: Victims of celebrity 'swatting'
Chris Brown – Police visited Chris Brown's Hollywood Hills home on Monday after a call about an alleged domestic violence incident. Brown wasn't home, according to KTLA.
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The Kardashian household was targeted on January 18. "Just got a call from my mom telling me about this prank call that someone was shot in their home & 15 swat team & 3 helicopters showed up!" Kim Kardashian<a href="https://twitter.com/KimKardashian/status/292453050818367488" target="_blank"> tweeted</a>. "These prank calls are NOT funny! People can get arrested for this! I hope they find out who is behind this. Its dangerous & not a joke!"
Photos: Victims of celebrity 'swatting'
Kim Kardashian – The Kardashian household was targeted on January 18. "Just got a call from my mom telling me about this prank call that someone was shot in their home & 15 swat team & 3 helicopters showed up!" Kim Kardashian tweeted. "These prank calls are NOT funny! People can get arrested for this! I hope they find out who is behind this. Its dangerous & not a joke!"
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On January 17, police visited Tom Cruise's home after receiving a call that an armed robbery was in progress, according to a <a href="http://local.nixle.com/alert/4945159/" target="_blank">Beverly Hills Police Department press release</a>. Like Brown, Cruise was not home when the police arrived.
Photos: Victims of celebrity 'swatting'
Tom Cruise – On January 17, police visited Tom Cruise's home after receiving a call that an armed robbery was in progress, according to a Beverly Hills Police Department press release. Like Brown, Cruise was not home when the police arrived.
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The <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/12/bieber-kutcher-swatting-suspect-linked-to-other-cases-lapd-says.html" target="_blank">Los Angeles Times</a> reported in December that Charlie Sheen's home was among the celebrity residences "swatted" in recent months.
Photos: Victims of celebrity 'swatting'
Charlie Sheen – The Los Angeles Times reported in December that Charlie Sheen's home was among the celebrity residences "swatted" in recent months.
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In October, Justin Bieber <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/10/justin-bieber-malibu-home-swatting-prank.html" target="_blank">reportedly fell victim</a> to a celebrity "swatting" prank. After searching his home, police determined that the call was a hoax.
Photos: Victims of celebrity 'swatting'
Justin Bieber – In October, Justin Bieber reportedly fell victim to a celebrity "swatting" prank. After searching his home, police determined that the call was a hoax.
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Days earlier, police were notified of an alleged home invasion robbery at Ashton Kutcher's house via a teletext message rather than a 911 call, according to<a href="http://www.tmz.com/2012/10/03/ashton-kutcher-home-invasion-swatting-prank/" target="_blank"> TMZ.</a> Kutcher later <a href="https://twitter.com/aplusk/status/253606508548485120" target="_blank">tweeted,</a> "Safe an sound at two and a half men."
Photos: Victims of celebrity 'swatting'
Ashton Kutcher – Days earlier, police were notified of an alleged home invasion robbery at Ashton Kutcher's house via a teletext message rather than a 911 call, according to TMZ. Kutcher later tweeted, "Safe an sound at two and a half men."
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<a href="http://www.tmz.com/videos/0_24mxl2ne/" target="_blank">TMZ reported</a> that Miley Cyrus' house was swarmed in August after police received a call about a possible home invasion. Of course, it turned out to be another false alarm.
Photos: Victims of celebrity 'swatting'
Miley Cyrus – TMZ reported that Miley Cyrus' house was swarmed in August after police received a call about a possible home invasion. Of course, it turned out to be another false alarm.
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russell brand 2006Rihanna February 2013ama 2012 Chris BrownKim Kardashian May 19 2012tom cruisecharlie sheen gettyJustin Bieiber Atlantaashton kutcher jan 22 2012miley birthday

Story highlights

  • LAPD responds to false report of man with gun
  • It's not known whether Brand was home during incident
  • Brand is latest in string of celebrity 'swatting' victims
Someone called police with a report of an armed man at actor Russell Brand's Hollywood home Monday, but it turned out to be a "fraudulent call," Los Angeles police told CNN.
There was no emergency, Officer Sara Faden said. She did not know whether Brand was home during the 3:35 p.m. incident.
"We sent a number of officers from our Hollywood division. The officers saw no crime or anyone with a need for medical attention," Detective Gus Villanueva said.
There have been several such "swatting" incidents targeting celebrity homes in Los Angeles in the past year. Other victims include Ashton Kutcher and Justin Bieber.
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Brand, 38, starred in the movies "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and "Get Him to the Greek" and was married for about two years to pop star Katy Perry.