Full Notification

Moraga Police Department

PRESS RELEASE
April 24, 2012


On 02-28-12 at approximately 6:55 PM, Moraga Police responded to the parking lot of the Rheem Valley Shopping Center to investigate an armed robbery report. Officers met Yang Chen, a 25 year old Walnut Creek resident, who reported that he had just been robbed at knifepoint by a black male in his 30’s, reportedly wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. Chen reported that the suspect had brandished a large knife, and demanded Chen’s money. Chen said he handed the suspect $200 in cash and the suspect was last seen running north towards the intersection of Moraga Road and Rheem Blvd. Officers from Moraga, Lafayette, and Orinda Police departments responded immediately and conducted an intense, but unsuccessful, search for the suspect.

After a thorough investigation, including the creation and dissemination of a composite sketch of the suspect to all police agencies in Contra Costa, Alameda, and Solano Counties, inconsistencies in Chen’s report led Moraga PD investigators to re-interview and challenge Chen’s account. Chen eventually admitted the event was entirely fictitious, and stated that he had concocted the story to observe how police react to an armed robbery.

The initial response by three police agencies, Moraga PD’s investigative time, and the cost of a sketch artist represents a significant and unnecessary use of public funds. Additionally, the sketch of the fictitious black suspect unnecessarily caused local law enforcement to focus on any look-alike as a potential armed suspect. The false report also caused safety concerns for local citizens and, as a result, may have negatively impacted the retailers in the shopping center.

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has filed a misdemeanor charge of violating section 148.5 of the Penal Code (False Reporting of a Crime) against Chen, with an initial court appearance scheduled on May 7th at 8:30 a.m. in Walnut Creek Superior Court.