Carroll Police Department P-J file photo

FREWSBURG — A report of shots being fired sparked a search in the town of Carroll. The incident Thursday was later deemed unfounded.

Police received a call around 1:33 p.m. of possible shots in the area of Bunce and Oak Hill roads. The caller was later identified as 21-year-old Dale R. Linkous of Jamestown.

Bill Nelson, chief of the Carroll Police Department, said Linkous informed officers that more than one person wearing hoodies were hiding in the bushes. Police were assisted by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police.

Nelson said Frewsburg school officials were notified of the incident.

“We wanted to make sure the school was aware of it so they knew whether buses needed to go another route,” he said.

With the help of two K-9 units, the area where Linkous said the shots came from was searched.

“After a thorough search of the area, it was determined that the information was unfounded,” Carroll police said. “The school was contacted and advised so that student dismissal would not be affected.”

Police determined that Linkous was in violation of an order of protection. He was charged with second-degree criminal contempt and later transported to Chautauqua County Jail for arraignment.

Linkous was previously charged in July after he reportedly escaped custody of the Lakewood-Busti Police Department.

Police found the city man in possession of 62 grams of cocaine in addition to oxycodone and marijuana during a traffic stop. However, while being processed, officers said Linkous “broke the leg shackle off the holding cell bench and ran out the door.”

Police, with the assistance of county Probation, located Linkous several days later.