Springdale Police: “She made it up”

Springdale, S.C. (WOLO) — After nearly six months of investigating, Springdale investigators believe a woman claiming she was beaten and raped by a police impersonator made it all up. Springdale police chief Kevin Cornett says the female who claimed she was pulled over last October in the 1000 block of Wattling Road by someone impersonating a police officer, and then claims she was beaten and sexually assaulted, made it all up. “We have no evidence to support that this took place,” said Cornett. She even provided a sketch to police. “We don’t believe the sketch was anyone associated with this case in anyway remotely to what she stated happened,” said Cornett. Officers confronted the woman Thursday morning. “We went through every step to let her know we’ve been thorough worked hard on the case and at that point she ended the interview and asked to leave,” said Cornett. Cornett says the woman’s story kept changing. After processing the scene, the reported victim’s vehicle, her sexual assault kit, conducting more than 300 interviews and exhausting countless hours of manpower, they are closing the case. The supposed crime put the small town of 2,700 on edge. Police say residents were living in fear. “She scared a lot of people,” said one woman. We spoke to another woman who says she talked to the so-called victim and saw bruises. “I was terrified,” she said. “But, I don’t understand why someone would do that.” Police say the woman never admitted to making up the story. But they say residents can rest easy, and real victims should not let this discourage them from reaching out if something does happen to them. “We take you seriously,” said Cornett. The chief says he is not sure if the so-called victim will face charges or other penalties. He said “investigators are still working to determine the best course of action.”