HAMLET — Authorities say a man lied about a robbery and carjacking reported last month at a Richmond County convenience store.
Jason Russell Rape, 33, of Mill Road, Hamlet, told sheriff’s deputies he was robbed and beaten by three men who stole his car when he stopped to put air in his tires, Capt. Jay Childers said Monday.
Rape made a robbery report to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office the same night. Two days later, investigators charged him with making a false report to a police station.
Deputies previously said Rape claimed he was pumping air in the tires of his car at the Shiv’s Corner convenience store on County Home Road when he was approached by three black men. Rape said he thought at least one of them had a gun.
Rape claimed the robbers damaged a white tank top he was wearing and took his wallet, a pair of black Nike Shox shoes and his car, a red 2001 Chevy Cavalier.
Deputies said Rape was taken to FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital for X-rays and CAT scans after claiming he was knocked unconscious during the robbery.
Authorities found Rape’s car abandoned on Wiregrass Road between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. the morning after the alleged theft.
Rape was taken before a Richmond County magistrate and released on a $2,500 unsecured bond. He is scheduled to appear in Richmond County District Court on the charge Aug. 6.
Rape’s previous criminal record consists of a lone conviction on a misdemeanor larceny charge in July 1998, for which he received probation.
— Corey Friedman