SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. -
Police tape surrounded a train track near Pine Street in the Village of Saranac Lake Wednesday. On Tuesday police say a 55-year-old man called 911 saying he was robbed and shot.
News that caught neighbor Chic Riley by surprise.
"Then all we saw was lights and then a cop came to the door," said Riley.
Police put out a warning for two men. But when Riley approached police on Wednesday he began to think otherwise.
"I asked a trooper [Wednesday] morning if they found the guys, he said, I don't think they're looking," said Riley.
In fact they weren't. Saranac Lake Police Chief Bruce Nason says the wounded man's story didn't add up.
"Some of the specifics that he first reported and after the 2nd or 3rd interview they started to change," said Nason.
By Wednesday afternoon Nason was confident no robbery took place. They believe the Saranac Lake man may have actually shot himself in the shoulder.
Police say because the incident happened at night and there's very little light around here it was hard to find any evidence. It wasn't until they came back Wednesday morning and had sunlight that they were able to find a gun.
This isn't the first time a fake attack happened there. About a year ago, a woman claimed she was stabbed, but police say she did it herself.
Two situations that don't sit well with police.
"It's frustrating but my concern is for his well being. If he's gone to these lengths to possibly do something, he needs some assistance," said Nason.
Police haven't released the man's name. He's at Fletcher Allen Wednesday night.
They say if it turns out he did file a false report, he could be arrested.
