Man faces charges
Cops: He lied about robbery
EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. » Police said the employee who reported that the Discount Flooring store on
Troy Road was robbed Monday is now charged with falsely r epor t i ng an incident.
Eas t Greenbush police said
Mark A. Slocum, 59, of Rensselaer, was arrested Thursday afternoon by Detective Sgt. Elaine Rudzinski and Detective Michael Guadagnino in connection with an incident that Slocum reported to police on Monday.
Slocum was arraigned before East Greenbush Town Justice George J. Hoffman Jr. on Thursday night on charges of falsely reporting an incident, seconddegree perjury, making a false sworn statement and larceny.
Police said Slocum had called 9-1-1 about 10 a.m. Monday and told police that a white male had entered the Discount Flooring store, with a knife, and robbed him of cash. Police said Slocum gave a highly detailed description of the alleged suspect.
According to a news release, nearby senior centers and nursing homes went into lockdown, while police used dogs and State Police helicopter to search backyards and adjoining properties for the suspect. Police said that no look-alike could be found.
However, officials said detectives then viewed surveillance video from numerous banks, restaurants, hotels and private properties in the immediate vicinity, none of which had recorded anyone entering or leaving the flooring store with that description.
Police said after appearing in court, Slocum was immediately placed on ankle bracelet surveillance pending further court proceedings, and turned over to Troy Police who held him on an unrelated warrant.