It’s never a good idea to call the police to help settle your gambling debt. A Glen Burnie man was charged with making a false statement after he did just that.

Cedrick James Brinkley, 18, of the 100 block of 5^th Avenue in Glen Burnie, told police on Tuesday, Sept. 25, that armed robbers took clothing and cash from him when he was at the Owings Mills Mall the previous day, according to information provided by Baltimore County Police Franklin Precinct No. 3.

Police learned that the man was not at the mall that day by interviewing mall employees and reviewing surveillance footage. Brinkley was interviewed again, and he told police he lost the money gambling, police said.

He was charged on a summons for making a false statement.