Security guard charged with mischief for robbery claim

Police have charged an Ottawa man with public mischief for allegedly falsely claiming he was robbed while he was working as a security guard at a construction site.

Police said the man reported the robbery on April 23 at around 2 a.m., claiming a group of teenagers robbed him while he was working overnight at a business that was under construction near the intersection of Cresthaven Drive and Barnstone Drive in Barrhaven.

The man claimed that one of the assailants was carrying a handgun.

The man placed a second call to police at 3:20 a.m. alleging the teenagers had returned. When police arrived, officers located and arrested five teenagers. However, all five youths were released without charge after a police investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing by the teens.

A police investigation into the complaints continued and on Friday police charged Ali Chokeir, 20, with one count of public mischief.

Chokeir is expected to appear in an Ottawa court on Aug. 14.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the robbery squad at 613-236-1222, ext. 5116. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).