Norfolk, Va. - He told police three thugs confronted him outside his dorm and stole his money. That frightening report unnerved students on campus, but police said today, Riain Curran simply made it up.
Mr. Curran told ODU detectives that he was robbed by three black men in order to avoid having to explain that he spent someone else`s money in a fraudulent manner.
He wrote a statement that admits to having made up the story about the robbery. There is a videotaped confession.
Police charged Curran with lying in a crime report. That charge could bring extra trouble for him, because court records show he also has a marijuana conviction hanging over his head. A judge in his hometown of Woodbridge had given him a break, promising to erase the pot conviction if Curran stayed out of trouble for a year. Curran did not return our message.
Police are still investigating a second robbery reported Tuesday near off-campus housing, but they've now listed Curran's report as unfounded. Curran is scheduled for a court hearing next Tuesday.
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ODU Police investigating two robberies
He was arrested and released on his own recognizance.
The second robbery remains under investigation.
Anyone with information regarding the incident or suspects is encourage to contact Old Dominion Detective Janka at 683-4000 or the Norfolk Crime Line.
