Bluffton police: Alleged March 30 Main Street robbery did not take place

Bluffton police released the following information about an alleged March 30 robbery of a Main Street Bluffton business. Police did not release the name of the business  because public record exemptions prohibit the release of names of uncharged suspects, so there is no further information available at this time.

The department's news release follows:

On Wednesday morning, March 30, Bluffton police officers were called to a business in the 100 block of North Main Street for a report of a man having been robbed.  Officers responded and arrived within less than a minute.
 
Officers spoke with a 39-year-old male-employee who reported he was approached from behind and pinned against the business’ door. 

The male was able to provide limited information on a description, but reported two males were involved in the robbery.  Several items were reportedly taken from the man’s possession during the robbery.
 
Officers conducted a thorough search of the immediate area and spoke to people in the area and failed to develop any immediate leads.  Case investigators began to follow up on information supplied by the victim.  There quickly became discrepancies and inconsistencies that led officers to shift the direction of the investigation.
 
Officials confronted the man with the inconsistencies, and the man ultimately admitted to police authorities that he fabricated the entire incident. 
 
Officials are discussing the incident with local prosecutors to determine the best course of action.