The story, reported here last week, had the right mix of elements that were sure to induce outrage. A disabled veteran claimed that his truck had been trashed by Black Lives Matter sympathizers — “totaled,” he said — for no reason other than the pro-police messages on the vehicle and the fence surrounding his home. The only thing missing from the narrative was the truth.
Fox affiliate KDFW reports that Scott Lattin, of Whitney, Texas, has been arrested on misdemeanor charge of filing a false police report.
Whitney Police Chief Chris Bentley claims there were inconsistencies between the news video and an independent video made during the initial police investigation.
Bentley said when they took the report there was no damage to the inside of the truck. But when FOX4 showed up, Lattin showed that the glove box was ripped off and the seats slashed.
Lattin denies the charges, but according to the arrest warrant affidavit has admitted damaging the inside of his truck for insurance reasons. Police say that additional charges could be filed against Lattin, including felonies.
Police have advised people to stop sending money to the family, which set up a now-defunct Go Fund Me account to help cover the cost of repairing the truck. The Lattins had received $5,000 in donations at the time of my initial report, and local car dealers and body shops had offered to help.
