Thursday, March 20, 2008

Arrestee Claims Assault Lead To Crash

   A man who was arrested for filing a false police report and leaving the scene of an accident last weekend, later told authorities that the crash had resulted from an assault.

   Lawrenceburg Police Department officials had placed Christopher Dale Grinder, 36, of 1601 Deerhollow Drive, under arrest on March 14 on the false report charge after he reported he had struck a deer with his red 2004 Hyundai Sante Fe, while traveling along U.S. Highway 64 near the entrance to David Crockett State Park.

   During their investigation officers reported finding no evidence to support Grinder’s claim. No blood or hair was found on his vehicle, nor was any crash debris found at the location he claimed to be the crash site.

   When officers found evidence that Grinder had actually crashed into a utility pole and metal utility box at the intersection of Crews Street and Massey Avenue, they placed him under arrest.

   Shortly thereafter, Grinder returned to the police department to offer a different explanation for the crash. He reported to officers that he had actually been traveling along Massey Avenue when he stopped for a vehicle behind him, he believed belonged to his brother. He said he quickly realized that the vehicle was not his brother’s.

   Grinder told officers that a man exited the vehicle, approached him, then began demanding that he pay money he claimed he was owed. Grinder said he insisted he did not know the man and refused to pay him, at which time the man struck him in the face.

   Grinder reported that he was “shaken from the blow,” and that he attempted to pull away but instead struck the utility pole. He said that the man approached him once again, continuing to demand money from him. He told officers that the man pulled out a silver revolver and stated that he “had better not report the incident to anybody.” They both then left the scene.

   Grinder told officers that he was embarrassed by the fact that he had initially lied about the incident, but felt that he would not be safe had he reported what had actually occurred.

   He indicated that he had seen a similar truck on several occasions, and is in fear for his safety.

   The matter remains under investigation through the department’s Criminal Investigation Division.

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