News Release
January 30, 2008
Contacts
Leslye Asera, Community Relations Manager, (925) 671-3272
lasera@ci.concord.ca.us
False report of robbery at Sunvalley Mall
The Crimes Against Persons Unit (Detectives of the Concord Police Department) are reviewing extra-ordinary case facts related to a false report of a parking lot robbery at Sunvalley Mall that was reported to patrol officers on Wednesday, Jan. 23.
The alleged victim, an adult female, asserted that she was returning to her car after shopping when she was approached by an unknown male subject who forced her to surrender her cash and $17,000 wedding ring. The woman reported never seeing the suspect who came upon her from behind. There was an immediate response to this incident by the police department based on the growing concern of robberies that have been occurring at Sunvalley Mall.
The Police Department has benefited from a very responsive and cooperative relationship with Sunvalley Mall management and security forces over the years and they are already working closely with a special team and a case detective of the Concord Police Department to defeat a trend of parking lot and other class robberies that have occurred recently. As previously reported, at least three of these incidents involve the theft of women’s purses by drivers as they slowly drive by and forcibly take the purses from the shoulders of their victims.
On this occasion, the female victim called back the next day and contacted the investigating patrol officer to recant her crime report stating that she had not actually been robbed but was fearful of telling her husband that she had lost her wedding ring. The victim now faces potential criminal charges of filing a false police report pending review by the Contra Costa County District Attorneys Office. Restitution for police services is also being considered.
Anyone with information to offer to assistance the ongoing investigation into the robberies that have been occurring at Sunvalley Mall are encouraged to call Detective Kurt Messick (925.671.3040). Other tips and anonymous information can also be reported through the Concord Police Tip Line at 925.603.5836 or at coldcases@cpd.ci.concord.ca.us.
