A flooring retailer in East Greenbush, N.Y., was arrested after allegedly lying about being robbed at knifepoint in his store.
Mark Slocum of Discount Flooring Supermart called 911 on Aug. 20 at 10 a.m. and reported that a white male wearing a mask had entered the flooring store with a knife and robbed him of cash, according to the East Greenbush Police Department.
“He gave a highly detailed description of the suspect,” the department said in a statement, including that he had tattoos on both arms and hands, a white T-shirt, dark pants splattered with paint and a dark backpack with a rabbit’s foot lucky charm on it.
Slocum’s report led to lockdowns at local senior centers and nursing homes and an extensive search for the suspect, with police using dogs as well as a state police helicopter to scan backyards and adjoining properties.
However, upon viewing surveillance video from surrounding banks, restaurants, hotels and private properties, detectives determined that none had recorded anyone entering or leaving the flooring store resembling Slocum’s description.
Slocum was arrested Aug. 23 and arraigned on charges of falsely reporting an incident, second degree perjury, making a false sworn statement and larceny.
He’s been placed on ankle bracelet surveillance pending further court proceedings.
