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A Marion man who told police he was mugged earlier this week apparently fabricated the story to cover up an alleged drug transaction.
Ryan Neil Knipp, 21, of Marion, could face charges of false reporting in connection with the Tuesday night incident. A Warsaw man came forward early Wednesday.
Knipp had told Warsaw police that a man took his wallet from him while Knipp was using a pay telephone at Center Quick Service and that he then gave chase to the unidentified man.
The Warsaw witness told police that Knipp asked him to drive him around to locate a Michigan-plated vehicle driven by a friend who brought Knipp to Warsaw. Knipp also reportedly told the witness that he gave the person whom he said stole his wallet $1,500 for drugs. The man then apparently ran off without giving Knipp any drugs, so Knipp chased him and was fighting with him in the backyard of a residence in the 900 block of East Center Street when the resident called police.
When police arrived in the area, they found Knipp walking and questioned whether he was involved in the fight. He then reportedly told police he was mugged by an unknown male.
After the witness came forward, police located the vehicle with Michigan plates that Knipp left the area in and a search of that vehicle found no drugs.
The investigation continues.
