False reports put a strain on department resources

ELKHART COUNTY — Officers say false reports take time and resources away from legitimate cases. It didn't take officers long to start their investigation last Tuesday. "When you are talking about a sexual assault and the guy portrayed himself as a police officer, it raises the stakes," said Public Information Officer, Lieutenant Ed Windbigler with Elkhart Police. Those accusations were made by a woman who told Elkhart County Police after leaving the Indiana Toll Road exit a car followed her on County Road 17. The woman thought it was an officer after she saw flashing lights and a red light in the front of the Crown Victoria vehicle. After she pulled over to the side of the road, she claimed the police impersonator blinded her with a flashlight, then raped her. Several days later, The sheriff's office revealed the entire story was completely false. Officers came to that conclusion after numerous interviews and reviewing the woman's phone records. In a statement, Elkhart county police said: "This false report should not deter legitimate victims - particularly those who have been sexually assaulted or battered - from filing cases with police. " Elkhart County Police spokesperson, Trevor Wendzonka confirmed the investigation into the woman's allegations continue, but he would not answer why the woman lied. Wendzonka also would not discuss details about the information gathered from the 35-year-old's phone records and interviews that made officers realize her story did not add up. By phone, Wendzonka told WSBT News, "The case is still open and there is nothing more to add to the news update (released Friday)." Liet.Windbigler said more than a dozen false police reports are filed at the Elkhart Police Department, each year. He says false reports cost the department investigative time they will never get back. "That could have been time spent time on your case, your mother's case or your relative's case," said Windbigler, "But we're chasing false leads because of a fake report. " Once the investigation is complete, officials from the Sheriff's office will determine whether or not to forward the case to Prosecutors to file charges.