A man who reported being robbed at gunpoint Aug. 17 at a local bank ATM lied, police said.

            Randall B. Walker Jr., 23, North Main Street, fabricated a story about being held at gunpoint by a man who robbed him of a convenience store bank deposit, said Statesboro Police Capt. Scott Brunson.

            Walker, along with his girlfriend Sarah E. Littleton, were arrested Friday after Statesboro Police Det. Tommy Brown linked evidence to their not being  truthful when Walker reported being robbed.

            Warrant for a third suspect, John Demetrious Hooks, 27, Tom McKinley Road, Thomaston, were issued Monday, he said.

            "During the investigation (Brown) discovered compelling evidence which led him to believe (Walker) did stage the armed robbery at Sea Island Bank on Fair Road ... with the intent to defraud his employer," Brunson said.

            Walker told police an armed man approached him around 11:30 a.m Sunday, Aug. 17, waved a gun and demanded the bank deposit bag he held that belonged to Flash Foods #231 on U.S. 301 South.

            Walker was charged with possession of a firearm during  the commission of a crime, possession of a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school, felony theft by taking, false report of a crime (misdemeaor) and false statements and writings (felony).

            Littleton was charged with possession of a firearm during  the commission of a crime, possession of a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school, and felony theft by taking.

            Warrants taken out for Hooks were for charges of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school and felony theft by taking, Brunson said.

            False report of a crime is a misdemeanor offense, and making false statements in writing is a felony, he said. Persons making such false reports are breaking the law, and "if a person does falsely report a crime, we will press criminal charges."