A 15-year-old boy admitted to police that he lied about being assaulted and robbed on the Animas River Trail on Monday afternoon.
According to a news release, the teen told Durango police on Wednesday that he had gotten into a fight with another boy over an argument that began on Facebook.
He and two other boys met in person at the Demon Bridge, behind the La Plata County fairgrounds, where a verbal dispute led to a physical fight.
The teen said he fabricated the story because he was scared.
He initially told police that a man approached him from behind, knocked him down with a blow to the face and stole his wallet.
Police and city code enforcement trolled the trail Monday for the fictitious assailant.
Police are not releasing the names of the juveniles.
They are considering charges for false reporting to authorities, but no citations have been issued.
jpace@durangoherald.com
