Countless hours and investigative manpower were stripped away from the Norfolk Police Department after a 20-year-old Old Dominion University student falsely reported he was robbed at gunpoint in the 800 block of W. 46th Street on May 6, 2015. After the initial report, the Norfolk Police Detective Division immediately responded and began investigating the student’s claims. During the course of the investigation, he retracted his initial testimony to detectives and admitted to falsifying the incident to police. On May 9, 2015, the student was consequently charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor for knowingly filing a false report to police.
The Norfolk Police Department encourages citizens to report any suspicious situation or possible criminal activity. However, Norfolk Police would like to remind any person who falsely summon or knowingly file a false police report to any law-enforcement official can be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor per Virginia State Code 18.2-461.
Previous Release 05/06/2015:
Shortly before 2 am this morning, May 6th 2015, an ODU student arrived at the ODU Police Station and advised police that around 1 am he was walking in the 800 block of West 46th Street and was approached by a man who displayed a gun and demanded personal property. The victim stated that after he and suspect got into a physical altercation, the suspect fled on foot without any of the victim’s personal property.
The student was treated by paramedics for minor injuries sustained during the incident.
Norfolk Police is handling the investigation, and ask anyone who knows anything about this incident to call the Norfolk Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.
The suspect is described as:
White man
Early 20’s
5’8”- 5’10”
150-200 pounds
Blonde hair