A Spring Hill woman's attempt to cover up a failed drug deal ended with her behind bars, deputies said.
According to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, Hali Reichenbaugh, 24, called emergency dispatch at 7 p.m. on Tuesday to report that she had been pulled over by an unmarked patrol car in the area of Mariner Boulevard, near County Line Road.
Deputies said Reichenbaugh told them a man in a black polo shirt, khaki pants and a gold star badge approached her vehicle, placed her in handcuffs and took $200 from her jeans pocket.
Reichenbaugh then said the man put her in the back of the patrol car and groped her, the report said. Deputies said she noted that the unmarked car had working emergency lights, a computer and a radio, but there was no middle divider.
The man eventually released Reichenbaugh, she told deputies.
Deputies then searched the area but they were unable to find evidence to corroborate her account, the report said.
The following day, during an interview at the Sheriff's Office, deputies said Reichenbaugh admitted to making up the story. She said she had actually been in Pasco County to buy drugs, but that when she paid an individual $200, she didn't receive any drugs in return.
When she came home, Reichenbaugh said her boyfriend started questioning her about her whereabouts and the missing money, which is when she decided to make up the story, deputies said.
Her boyfriend told her she needed to report the incident, which is when Reichenbaugh called law enforcement.
Reichenbaugh was arrested on charges of filing a false report. Her bond was set at $500.