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UTAH COUNTY -- Provo police now say the story of a woman who was robbed for her change at a gas station Tuesday night was really just a hoax.
Detectives said the 26-year-old woman admitted Wednesday afternoon she made up the story, so she wouldn't have to account for the money to her family. But it turned into a situation which caused serious concern in a Provo neighborhood.
Provo police Capt. Cliff Argyle said, "It wasn't just a white lie. This particular little white lie really grew in proportion."
The woman reported to police she was approached by some men while filling up at the Walker convenience store at 2025 W. Center St. around 7 p.m. She said they were aggressive in asking for money. After she supposedly paid for $15 of gasoline with a $100 bill, she said the men grabbed the change while she had her 10-month-old baby with her.
Police put out a press release Tuesday night with a description of the alleged suspects, but in the end, it was nothing but a tall tale.
Argyle said, "I think she kind of hoped to make a little cash by telling a white lie. She thought her family and her family only, and it wouldn't go any further. But of course her family, her in-laws, realizing the seriousness of a strong-arm robbery with her small child with her, they were very persuasive and very intent on her reporting this crime."
Police said they wasted several man hours Tuesday night looking for suspects and then time Wednesday by detectives investigating the case.
They said it also brought unnecessary attention to the business, which spent several hours reviewing surveillance video.
Police will turn the case over to the city prosecutor and recommend she be charged with the misdemeanor crime of filing a false police report.
E-mail: spenrod@ksl.com
