Police arrested a Columbia woman Tuesday afternoon on charges of falsely reporting she was robbed near a Subway Restaurant.
Investigators arrested Kelli Buckalter, 27, around 2:15 p.m. on Aug. 30 for making a false report. She was also charged with felony stealing, according to a Columbia Police Department news release.
Earlier in the day at about 9:30 a.m., Buckhalter had claimed to be the victim of strong-arm robbery.
Buckhalter reported to have been robbed while walking a money deposit from a Subway Restaurant located at 1406 Forum Blvd. Suite 101 to a US Bank across the street, according to the news release.
She claimed a man in a dark car forcibly took the deposit bag and sped north on Forum Boulevard towards Stadium Boulevard.
The bag held an undisclosed amount of money, but the amount reported was more than $500, Columbia Police Department spokeswomen Stroer said.
Upon further questioning, Buckhalter admitted to her involvement in the incident, according to a media release.
“The consequences of making a false report is a misdemeanor, so it is punishable of a $1,000 fine and up to one year in jail,” Public Information officer Latisha Stroer said.
Buckhalter also implicated her husband as an accomplice.
“She made inconsistencies in her report of the incident,” Stroer said.
Investigators contacted Trevor Buckhalter via telephone to request he turn himself in. Trevor Buckhalter originally agreed, but failed to show up at the police department.
Trevor Buckhalter, a black, 36-year-old man standing 6 feet 2 inches, is now wanted by the police.