Sheriff’s office to seek restitution after woman files false kidnapping report
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Dal Kalsi, WHNS
NEWBERRY, SC (WHNS) — A Newberry woman was arrested in Laurens County Tuesday after Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster said she filed a false police report.
The incident sent investigators from the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office, Laurens County Sheriffs’ Office, Clinton Police Department and SLED on a four-hour search.
The sheriff said she has been charged and that the sheriff’s office would seek restitution for the money and resources used in the search.
Victoria Turner, 23, of Brown Chapel Circle was charged with improper use of 911, giving false information to a police officer, filing a false police report and breach of peace. She was given a $20,000 bond on those charges Wednesday in Laurens County. Once the bond was satisfied, Turner was taken into custody by Newberry County deputies and charged with filing a false police report related to a felony.
Foster said Turner falsely reported that she had been kidnapped after she had an argument with a man over money that she claimed was owed to her.
Foster said Turner believed that she would be able to force the man to pay her the money if she reported that he kidnapped her.
Foster said his office would seek restitution for the money, time and resources used during the search for Turner. Foster said that the exact dollar amount was still being calculated, but expected it to be in the tens of thousands of dollars.
Foster said several other agencies and businesses were also impacted when medical facilities, businesses and schools were placed on lockdown when investigators thought there was a suspect on the loose just after Turner was found in Laurens County.
“It is simply not fair for the taxpayers of Newberry County to have to pay for these resources for someone who blatantly abused the criminal justice system,” Foster said. “We have long prided ourselves on seeking restitution from the courts when these type cases occur and believe it is our responsibility as a good partner to protect the citizens and be good stewards of the resources they have entrusted us with.”
Turner was released from the Newberry County Detention Center Thursday on a personal recognizance bond.