The Paramus Police Department announces the arrest of Alex Barrales, 18, of Passaic, for two counts of Creating a False Public Alarm.
According to police officials, on Friday, May 13, Paramus Police Officers were dispatched to Windsor Preparatory High School on a report of a male being threatened with a knife.
Officials said that Paramus Patrol Officers arrived on the scene and quickly determined that the reported incident was a false 911 call.
While investigating the previous call, additional Paramus Officers were dispatched to the Garden State Plaza on a 911 call reporting a shooting in progress.
According to police, during the course of the 911 call, the dispatcher could hear several loud bangs in the background initially believed to be gunshots.
Police said that officers initiated an active shooter response and shortly after arrival determined the 911 call to be false.
Detective Joshua Capizzi investigated the incidents and was able to determine both false 911 calls were made by Alex Barrales, a former Windsor Preparatory High School student.
According to police officials, on June 9, defendant Barrales was taken into custody by the Irvington Police Department and subsequently transported to Paramus Police Headquarters.
The defendant was booked, processed and transported to the Bergen County Jail.
The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.