HOQUIAM, Wash. — Hoquiam police say a reported robbery at the Hoquiam 7-Eleven on Friday afternoon turned out to be unfounded, and may have been an attempt to divert officers away from an active warrant operation.

According to Interim Police Chief Jeff Salstrom, officers were initially dispatched at approximately 3:15 p.m. to a suspicious circumstances call in the 200 block of Chenault Avenue. Upon arrival, officers observed a man they recognized enter a residence and confirmed he had an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest.

The suspect reportedly refused to leave the residence. Because the home did not belong to the suspect, officers were required to obtain a search warrant before entering the property to take him into custody.

While officers were awaiting the warrant, a 911 call was received reporting a robbery at the Hoquiam 7-Eleven. Believing the report could be an attempt to lure officers away from the residence where the wanted suspect was located, Hoquiam police requested assistance from neighboring agencies.

A Hoquiam officer, along with officers from the Aberdeen Police Department and the Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office, responded to investigate the reported robbery. Authorities quickly determined that no robbery had occurred.

The response brought additional law enforcement resources to the Chenault Avenue residence, including Aberdeen Police Department K-9 Kibo. Police said that after observing the large law enforcement presence, the wanted suspect decided to surrender and was taken into custody without incident.

During the operation, a second individual at the residence was also found to have an outstanding felony warrant and was taken into custody.

Hoquiam police thanked the Aberdeen Police Department and the Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office for their assistance and quick response.

No injuries were reported, and the investigation into the false robbery report remains ongoing.