SAVANNAH, GA. (November 7, 2013): The arrest today of a Savannah woman on charges of filing a false report of a crime illustrates a significant issue for Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police.
The 30-year-old woman told Central Precinct officers Sunday morning that two gunmen had robbed her of $30 and taken a car that belonged to her boyfriend. Today, she confessed to robbery detectives that she had fabricated the story and was charged accordingly.
At least 28 people have been charged with filing false reports so far this year. Complaints range from suspects who reported robberies after accidentally shooting themselves, those who report vehicles stolen after they have been involved in accidents and even a woman who confessed to falsely accusing her former husband of a sexual assault.
“These false reports tie up a significant amount of resources,” said Police Chief Julie Tolbert. “Officers are pulled off their assigned duties to locate, secure and protect the crime scenes. Forensics investigators are brought in to document the sites. And detectives are reassigned from active investigations to these fraudulent cases.
“No police department can afford to waste such resources. And these investigations prevent officers from their assigned duties that enhance the safety of our community. This won’t be tolerated and we will charge everyone who files fraudulent reports accordingly.
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