Man reports robbery by knife point at ATM; Arrested for making false report

A 30-year old South Lake Tahoe man said his "life was boring and stagnant" so he made up being robbed at knife point at an ATM machine on Thursday, May 21.

Police were called to the El Dorado Savings Bank on Al Tahoe Blvd at 5:51 p.m. on Thursday, by a man saying he'd just been robbed. According to the police report, the "victim" said a man approached him as he was making a deposit. The "suspect", described as a white man between 30-34 years old and between 150 and 200 lbs, pulled a knife and asked for the man's wallet. He reported that the robber pulled out a $10 bill and left.

Seven officers responded to the report of the robbery and combed the area all the way to behind Meeks Building Center, looking for a man in a brown ski hat, black puffy jacket and black snowboard pants. Two of the officers were on overtime, trying to capture who they thought was a man with a knife who could pose a threat to other citizens.

Film was obtained from the bank. It clearly showed the "victim" at the ATM alone, with nobody near him. He then told police officers that he was mistaken, and it wasn't at the ATM but at the other end of the building.

Police were able to get the man to admit to lying about the robbery. They then arrested him for making a false police report, PC148.5.