Published: May 14, 2008 03:02 pm            

WEDNESDAY: Woman charged with lying about robbery (3:01 p.m.)

CRIME: Fire company volunteer allegedly tells police money was stolen by man on bicycle.

A Gasport woman has been charged with fabricating a robbery in order to cover up the fact that she spent BINGO funds from the Hartland Volunteer Fire Company.

Lee A. Smith, 46, 7542 Ridge Road, was charged Tuesday afternoon with third-degree falsely reporting an incident.

Officers responded to the Cornerstone Community Federal Credit Union on Stevens Street on Monday afternoon to investigate a report of a robbery.

Smith reportedly told police she went to the bank to deposit $8,560 for the Hartland Volunteer Fire Company.

The funds had been raised by BINGO events at the fire hall. Smith is reportedly the BINGO chairwoman for the fire hall and had been responsible for depositing the money.

Smith reportedly told police she arrived at the bank at about 3:30 p.m. and parked on Stevens Street instead of in the bank parking lot.

She said she was carrying the blue bank deposit bag in her right hand as she got out of her car, while closing her car door with her left hand, the report said.

Smith allegedly said at that moment, a man on a bicycle rode by her and grabbed the bag forcefully from her hand. She said he rode away west on Stevens Street, the report said.

She described the man as in his 20s, with tan skin, wearing a dark baseball cap, the report said.

Smith reportedly said she'd driven her car into the bank parking lot and gone inside the bank to call for help.

All available patrol units searched the area for the suspect.

Detective Lt. John Yotter said he interviewed Smith, and after an interrogation she admitted the story was not true.

"She admitted to me during interrogation that she made the whole thing up and she spent all the money," Yotter said.

She reportedly said she was afraid to tell the fire company that she'd spent the money.

Smith was released on her own recognizance and pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Lockport City Court. She is due again in court May 28.

Contact reporter April Amadon at 439-9222, ext. 6251.

        

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