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Investigators said a former Statesville officer has been on the run for weeks after lying to police.
They said he filed a false police report by claiming someone stole his unmarked police car.
Search warrants in the case said Christopher Rivera, a former Statesville police officer, claimed someone hit him in the face outside his apartment and stole his police car. Seven hours later, it was found wrecked about 5 miles away.
On New Year’s Eve, shortly after midnight, police said they got the call about a possible assault and robbery at the Glenwood Place Apartments in Hickory.
According to court documents, officers said Rivera appeared intoxicated and there was mud on his boots. The officer’s wife also had mud on her clothing.
Rivera claimed someone struck him and stole his unmarked police car. That car was found later wrecked and abandoned. Police said the ground was muddy, where they also found bootprints.
“As soon as Statesville Police Department found about the charges in Hickory, we put him on administrative leave and began our investigation,” Statesville Police Chief David Addison said.
Addison said his department has an ongoing internal investigation into the case.
A search warrant said police found Rivera’s police-issued equipment in the trunk of his wife’s car. The gear was muddy, consistent with what they found at the crash scene.
Neighbors told Channel 9 police in Hickory have shown up at Rivera’s apartment for weeks after taking out warrants for filing a false police report. So far, they have not made an arrest.
Former Statesville officer turns self in after false report of stolen car, investigators say
<p><em><strong>Investigators said a former Statesville officer filed a false police report by claiming someone stole his unmarked police car.</strong></em></p>
www.wsoctv.com