An Atlantic City Boardwalk store clerk is charged with filing a false report, after claiming several individuals caused thousands of dollars in damages.
The claim came as Boardwalk merchants' tensions have been high following the death of a store owner who apparently had a heart attack Friday, when juveniles allegedly robbed his store with one brandishing a knife.
At a rally Friday, the merchants talked of the years of problems with juveniles that they say have largely been ignored.
But when Malik Awais called police to H&A Fashions at about 12:42 p.m. Monday, what he told them was untrue, Lt. Kevin Fair said.
The Egg Harbor Township man said that several individuals entered the store and stole items valuing $100. He said they also pushed him as they fled, and caused more than $5,000 in property damage.
Detectives of the Criminal Investigations Section and Forensics Unit responded to the store, while personnel in the police Surveillance Center scanned video to see what they could find.
But it's what they didn't find, Fair said.
No one matching the description of the suspects was seen coming into or out of the store, he said.
Also, a person who was described as a witness was not even there during the alleged crime, according to the report.
The investigation determined the incident was fabricated.
A post on Facebook that talked about the attack and how it was meant to "shut us up" had been deleted by Wednesday.
Awais, 26, is charged with filing a false report to law enforcement authorities.
He was placed on a summons with a future court date.
