Sheriff's office says Lafayette woman made up story about abduction

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office believes a woman faked an abduction and sexual assault last month, and is asking local prosecutors to examine the case.

According to a news release issued Monday by the sheriff's office, a 29-year-old woman's claims that she was abducted and assaulted near Faith East Church were false.

Police found the 29-year-old woman with her hands zip-tied together inside a pickup truck parked at the church on Feb. 19. She told officers she was at the Faith East Community Center before a man abducted her and drove her to the east side of the church's property, according to initial police reports.

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In its news release, officials from the sheriff's office said multiple agencies used drones and police dogs to search the area for a suspect, but no one was found.

Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office detectives then began working with Lafayette Police Department detectives to investigate the incident. They reviewed cellphone company information, witness statements and video from the area, and determined that the incident did not happen as reported, according to the news release.

Detectives conducted a follow-up interview with the alleged victim, and according to the news release, detectives believe they confirmed that the incident didn't happen.

The woman was not identified in the news release. The Journal and Courier left several messages with leaders at the TSCO seeking the information but those calls were not returned.

The case has been sent to the Tippecanoe County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

Noe Padilla is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. Email him at Npadilla@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter, @1NoePadilla.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Lafayette woman reports fake abduction near Faith East Complex