Lyon County officials tell KSFY from the moment they began talking to Aaron Abels, Monday, after claiming he'd been robbed, they knew something was fishy.
"We came to the conclusion that it was false and he came to the conclusion that we knew it was false," Chief Deputy Stewart VanDerStoep said.
After some interviews with Abels and 6 officers on the case, Abels finally admitted everything: from the roadside robbery suspects, the good Samaritan, the kidnapping and the stolen debit card. He made it all up.
Marian Conwell lives in Larchwood and has been skeptical from the beginning.
"More relieved that it was something that was made up. You don't want to think something could happen in a place like this," Marian Conwell said.
Even though the story was made up, she says it still had a big effect on the people of Larchwood.
"He bothered a lot of people in this town. They take away some trust, even though it was a hoax, it brings home the fact that it could happen. You're more cautious now than normal. It's a shame," Conwell said.
Chief Deputy Van Der Stoep says if you do find yourself wanting to help someone stuck on the side of the road, it's still wise to know where you are, what you're doing and take some mental notes while you're at it.
"We have never had this happen in Lyon County in the 25 years I'd been here and I'm glad to say it still hasn't happened. The story was fabricated, but it's still a good reminder to always be cautious. Doesn't hurt to be cautious," Van Der Stoep said.
Abels has been charged with two counts of false reporting to an officer. It is punishable by up to a year in jail.
We did receive the address to his Larchwood home and stopped by to see if he had any comment but there appeared to be nobody home.
