NORTH SMITHFIELD – Police called to Hilltop Motor Inn used surveillance footage to determine that a woman who claimed she was held at gunpoint in August had merely used 911 to create a diversion from her own crime.
Kerri Cyr, 40, of Cranston was arrested in connection with the incident, which took place around 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21.
According to reports, Cyr told officers who arrived at the motel that she was providing a ride to a man when he pulled out a gun and demanded money. Cyr said the suspect was still in the area and then pointed him out to police, according to reports.
Police searched the man but found no weapons, and he denied the crime.
“Cyr’s story was not consistent and she began to act confrontational with officers and other motel residents,” the arrest report noted.
The alleged victim also told officers that there was another black man in the car with her and the suspect, but that he had left the scene, leading officers to search the motel and the nearby woods.
Meanwhile, another guest returned to the motel and told police it appeared a Playstation had been stolen from his room.
Checking surveillance footage from the motel, police saw Cyr and the alleged robber get out of a car with another woman, appearing to have a friendly conversation.
She is then seen going into the room in question and bringing out a bag and a black box, which she puts in the car. Cyr was then seen pulling out her phone in the video at a time consistent with her call to 911.
Officers reportedly did see black male in the footage – a hotel guest who appears uninvolved with the incident and leaves in a car.
“It appeared Cyr called 911 to create a diversion from her committing larceny,” the report notes.
The larceny victim said he did not wish to press charges, and Cyr was arrested and charged with false report of a crime.