Madison County, Ill (KSDK) -- Illinois State Police determine that a reported roadside attack on a man in Bethalto, Illinois, on Wednesday evening is false.
During further interviewing of the victim on Thursday, it was determined he was really involved in an altercation with an acquaintance and made up the story of being attacked while helping a stranded motorist.
Police said the man originally reported he was driving home from work Wednesday night when he saw a woman on the side of the road trying to change a tire along Illinois 140, just east of Bethalto.
The man told police he stopped to help her when two men in a pick-up truck pulled up and tried to rob him and steal his car. The man's car was locked, so they were not able to get into it. The man told police the men also tried to stab him.
The man then said the elderly woman drove away and the attackers got back in their truck and left the scene.
The man drove himself to the hospital and did not call police, but hospital officials contacted authorities.
The man told police he suspected it was a set up.
The appropriate prosecutor will be consulted in regards to possible charges related to the false report.
KSDK