Man Charged in False Report of Otsiningo Park Robbery

Authorities say the person who reported an armed robbery at Otsiningo Park has been arrested for providing false information.

Broome County security officers, sheriff's deputies and state police were sent to the park in the town of Dickinson late Wednesday afternoon to investigate the purported incident.

Initial reports indicated a man had been held at gunpoint and forced into a car. Area police agencies were advised to be on the lookout for a vehicle occupied by two men who were said to have left the park.

Officials now say the incident revolved around a marijuana deal gone wrong. They say 18-year-old Zackary Pound of Port Dickinson allegedly owed money to a drug dealer for several ounces of marijuana.

Sheriff David Harder said police first were told that $300 had been stolen. Then the story was changed indicating "lunch meat" had been taken. The story continued to evolve until investigators learned of the marijuana connection.

Pound has been charged with making a false written statement, a misdemeanor.

The sheriff said investigators were still trying to determine exactly what happened because the accounts of those who were there had changed several times.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.