GREENVILLE, Va – Augusta County authorities have made an arrest in regards to last week’s apparent armed robbery.

Sheriff Donald Smith stated that a man had called 9-1-1 on February 2nd and reported that he had been robbed at gun point by three black men  at the intersection of Old Greenville Road and State Route 262.

The seriousness of the allegations in this case caught the attention of the entire local law enforcement community. Investigators with my office, along with the Commonwealth’s Attorney, began to notice some discrepancies in the version of events offered by the reporting party.

After a significant amount of time and resources were expended in the pursuit of these alleged robbers, it became clear to investigators that this robbery did not happen. When confronted with the evidence by a member of my staff and the Commonwealth’s Attorney, the reporting party initially stuck to his false story. Ultimately, however, he admitted to having made it up entirely. This alleged robbery never happened.

And thus, 38-year-old Sammie Lee Mason Junior of Craigsville was arrested and charged with knowingly giving a false report. He was released on his own signature.