Interstate 41 Good Samaritan Carjacking Turns Out To Be A Hoax

(Holy Hill) The Washington County Sheriff’s Office says an armed carjacking reported over the weekend on Interstate 41 turned out to be a hoax. A Michigan man told authorities that he stopped to assist a motorist who appeared to have run out of gas on I-41 southbound near Highway 167 just after 5pm Saturday evening. That man was said to have pointed a gun at the Good Samaritan before stealing his vehicle, with the truck also leaving the scene. Sheriff Martin Schulteis says as the investigation evolved, several inconsistencies emerged with the victim’s account of events. Schulteis says the victim has since recanted his story, indicating he made up the event for financial gain. The sheriff says his office has exhausted considerable public safety resources over the course of 45 hours to investigate the case. Schulteis says the sociological impact of the false allegation is (quote) “distressing,” noting that the alleged victim is now the suspect in an obstruction investigation.