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Woman Charged With Lying About Robbery

RIVER FOREST, Ill. (STMW) - A River Forest woman was charged with a Class 4 felony Thursday after allegedly filing a false report that she had been robbed at gunpoint.

Darlene Goebel, 46, of the 1100 block of North Harlem Avenue, River Forest, told police she was accosted by "four or five black men" on Oct. 11 at 9:44 p.m. on the 7200 block of Thomas. The summary stated that the men jumped out of the bushes and demanded drugs from her as she walked by with her dog.

Goebel told police one of the men displayed a handgun. She said one of them then punched her in the arm, while the others beat her dog before they all ran off.

Police responded in force with multiple squads and searched the area.

Goebel was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment of what she said was an injured arm.

Goebel also had called the Concordia University Chicago Security Department regarding the same alleged incident. Campus police also responded with a full investigation throughout the campus and "found no truth to Geobel's allegations," according to River Forest police.

Skeptical detectives initiated an investigation and gathered evidence that they say proves there is no truth to Goebel's charges. She was arrested when she showed up at the River Forest police station Thursday morning for a follow-up interview.

Cook County State's Attorney approved charging her with felony disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false police report.

"We burned up a lot of resources on this case," said Detective Sgt. Marty Grill.

Goeble reportedly told police she was concerned about inadequate light and excessive noise around a neighborhood parking lot.

Goebel remains in police custody awaiting a bond hearing on Friday. She has a preliminary hearing at 9 a.m. Oct. 21.

--Pioneer Press, via the Sun-Times Media Wire

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2010. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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