MINOA — A Syracuse man was arrested Tuesday after police say he fabricated a report about seeing an armed man near an elementary school to avoid a speeding ticket.
Jonathan Salva, 36, was driving 60 mph in a 20 mph school zone near Minoa Elementary School at approximately 12:21 p.m. when a Town of Manlius police officer attempted to stop him, according to a police press release.
Salva pulled up next to the patrol car and told the officer he was looking for police to report seeing a suspicious man with a gun at a gas station at the corner of Kirkville Road and Minoa Road.
He claimed the man ran from the store through a neighboring business yard and into nearby woods.
Multiple Town of Manlius police units responded to secure a perimeter due to the proximity to the elementary school.
Minoa Elementary School was placed in a “secure lockout” as a precaution while a school resource officer remained on scene.
Police investigators interviewed potential witnesses and neighbors and reviewed video footage.
The investigation determined the incident could not be substantiated.
Salva later admitted to making up the report to avoid being stopped and ticketed for speeding, police said.
He was arrested on charges of falsely reporting an incident in the third degree and providing a false written statement, both class A misdemeanors.
Salva also received traffic tickets for speeding in a school zone, disobeying a traffic control device and misuse of amber flashing lights on his vehicle.
He was released on an appearance ticket.
