GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Police have determined that the Starke man who claimed he was grabbed by a man while walking away from an ATM, punched, robbed and partially undressed last weekend made up the story.
Jeremy Foster, 21, was arrested Tuesday and charged with filing a false police report.
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On Monday, based on Foster's accusation and statements from apparent witnesses, 59-year-old Phuc X. Kieu was arrested and charged with attempted sexual battery, among other criminal charges.
Gainesville police continued to investigate and gathered video surveillance, which contradicted statements made by the victim.
Foster was reinterviewed and maintained his version of the story, even standing by his sworn written statement. But after being presented with the contradictory video evidence, police said Foster finally acknowledged that multiple statements provided to police were false.
Investigators say it was not clear why Foster fabricated the story.
Police notified the State Attorney's Office, which began the process of releasing Kieu from jail.