Quincy Woman Lied About Being Mugged: Police

QUINCY, MA — A 49-year-old Quincy woman who told officers she was mugged in Russell Park last week made the whole thing up, according to police. She was charged with filing a false police report and will be summoned to Quincy District Court.

On March 25, the woman told police a man came up from behind and threw her to the ground. She said the man grabbed money from her purse and stole her sneakers and jacket. The woman's face was cut and bleeding when police arrived.

But after police reviewed the park's security footage, officers re-interviewed the woman. Police said she confessed that the mugging never happened.

The cuts on her face were from walking through brush near the park's trails, Police Sgt. Karyn Barkas said. According to Barkas, Russell Park is usually a "very safe" area, so its concerning that someone would make up a violent attack there.

"We were concerned when we first heard this had happened," Barkas said. "When it occurs mid day it can be a little more frightening for people and I think it puts them on edge."