The investigation into an alleged aggravated robbery that reportedly occurred on May 19 on the McNeese State University campus is complete, according to McNeese Chief of Police Cinnamon Salvador.

According to Salvador, the complainant has recanted his story. "During the course of the investigation the person who reported the crime informed officers that no crime actually occurred," Salvador said. He has been issued a misdemeanor citation for filing a false police report. He has been charged with filing a false police report, which is a felony, and the matter will be turned over to the district attorney.

"We took this reported robbery very seriously," Salvador said. "When any crime is reported we want to identify and arrest the assailant as quickly as possible."

McNeese police received a call through 911 at 7:35 p.m. Monday about a robbery that occurred near Farrar Hall and the Burton Business Building. McNeese police continued the investigation until Wednesday evening when the alleged victim admitted that he made the story up.

"Based on the information in the initial report, we did issue a campus warning through our crisis communication e-mail list serv," Candace Townsend, McNeese director of public information and communications, said. "We felt that it was important to notify employees and students and we asked that they report any information about the alleged crime." An e-mail will be sent to employees and students informing them that no crime occurred.

"The investigating officers recognized several discrepancies in the man's statements, and it is unfortunate that publicity before the investigation had a chance to progress caused concern in the community and with our employees and students," Salvador said.