AMAWALK — The New York State Police have arrested a Mahopac man in connection with a swatting incident that led to an emergency response at a residence in Amawalk.
At approximately 11:12 a.m. Feb. 20, troopers and investigators from the SP Somers Bureau of Criminal Investigation responded to a report of a violent assault in progress at a residence on Chalmers Boulevard.
The caller, an unidentified female, reported that her neighbor was assaulting his wife and that the victim had suffered a severe head injury.
The caller then provided conflicting information about their identity and location, initially claiming to be from Maryland before changing their story and stating they were traveling through Poughkeepsie on Interstate 684.
Upon arrival, officers quickly determined that the report was a hoax.
Investigators later discovered that a similar false report had been made earlier that day regarding the complainant’s son at his residence in Pawling, using the same language.
The complainant’s son identified Mikel Kolaj, 31, of Mahopac, as a potential suspect, citing prior threats against his brother’s girlfriend and a swatting incident on New Year’s Day.
Investigators also determined that Kolaj was the subject of an active criminal case with the Eastchester Police Department for a similar swatting incident.
After being located, Kolaj provided a full confession, admitting to making multiple swatting calls, including the one that prompted the emergency response in Amawalk.
He told police that his first swatting attempt had occurred at the beginning of the year and had targeted the same family.
Kolaj was taken into custody and transported to SP Somers for further investigation.
He was charged with three counts of falsely reporting a crime, a class A misdemeanor.
Kolaj also admitted to previous swatting incidents, including two within the Eastchester Police Department’s jurisdiction.
Officials said he was released on his own recognizance per the District Attorney’s Office, and an order of protection was issued for the victim in this case.
