UF students and faculty members received emergency text messages and e-mails early May 31 warning of a crime that occurred in the pedestrian tunnel under 13th Street.
There was just one problem; the robbery likely did not happen, according to UPD Capt. Jeff Holcomb.
Brett House, a 19-year-old Gainesville resident, called the University Police Department at 8 a.m. on May 31, according to UPD Lt. Alton McDilda. House reported that he had been robbed.
Holcomb said House told police that at 3 a.m. someone hit him from behind and stole about $45 worth of marijuana from his backpack.
Later during questioning, House admitted to making up the crime, blaming it on his narcotics use, Holcomb said.
“He didn’t remember reporting the crime to us,” he said.
UPD will file a complaint with the State Attorney’s Office against House for filing a false police report, Holcomb said Thursday. The complaint can turn into a criminal charge. House did not answer repeated phone calls.
