ROME — A 28-year-old man is accused of lying to law enforcement about stabbing a person, leading to a police presence for several hours on West Thomas Street in February, according to the Rome Police Department.

Police said Manuel D. Frias, of Rome, was intoxicated at about 12:02 a.m. Feb. 16 when he telephoned 911 and claimed he had stabbed someone and pushed them into the bushes. Police said Frias also claimed he had several handguns and would shoot anyone who responded.

Frias then promptly went to sleep at the residence in the 300 block of W. Thomas St., police said. Officers responded to the scene and set up a perimeter, then attempted to get in touch with Frias, unaware that he was asleep. Police said they could see that there was no body in the bushes and that no violent incident had occurred.

Police said they eventually determined the scene was safe and they departed, with a warrant issued for Frias.

On May 5, police said there was a new call to 911 claiming that Frias was attempting to light a building on fire in the 300 block of W. Thomas St. Police said Frias was taken into custody and brought back to the police station for booking.

While in the booking room, police said Frias broke the chain connecting his handcuffs to the wall.

Frias is charged with one count each of falsely reporting an incident and fourth-degree mischief, authorities stated. He is scheduled to appear in Rome City Court.