A 19-year-old falsely reported a robbery to OUPD on Sunday.
A 19-year-old was found guilty today with making a false alarm after he reported he was attacked and robbed Sunday on South Green, according to a news release from the Ohio University Police Department.
But the robbery and attack didn't actually occur, the release said.
Karsten Vullemot, of Mansfield, was fined $250 and sentenced to 12 hours of community service, according to municipal court officials. OUPD Chief Andrew Powers said Vullemot confessed during a follow-up interview with an OUPD officer.
The 19-year-old said he made up the robbery story to conceal that he had lost his wallet at a party, according to the release.
"OUPD pursued a number of leads in following up on the report," Powers said in an email. "As far as doubts, we assume a victim is being truthful until we have a reason not to, but we always keep an open mind."
The release said Vullemot initially reported to OUPD that he had been assaulted and robbed by six white males while walking home on South Green early on the morning of Sept. 21.
Powers said Vullemot did have visible injuries.
The student who was reportedly attacked claimed he was approached from behind by the males, punched to the ground and kicked by the group. He reportedly suffered an injury to his right eye and right knee. He claimed the attack occurred between O’Bleness and Cady houses, according to a previous Post article.
OUPD sent out a Campus Crime Alert about the incident Sept. 22, the release said.
According to the release, the wallet was later returned to the 19-year-old, with nothing missing, after the person who found the wallet connected with Vullemot through social media.
Making a false alarm is a first-degree misdemeanor, with those convicted of the crime facing up to six months in jail and $1000 fine.
Vullemot appeared in Athens Municipal Court at 9:30 a.m. today.
