Police: Man lied about carjacking after crashing car, fleeing

LEXINGTON, SC Lexington police officers are on the lookout for a man who allegedly lied to police about a carjacking after fleeing the scene of a hit-and-run during rush hour traffic.

Police responded to a two-vehicle wreck on the 900 block of North Lake Drive near Hamilton Street about 5:15 p.m. May 3, according to a news release from the Lexington Police Department. One of the drivers involved in the wreck reportedly fled the scene

As officers were investigating the hit-and-run collision, they identified Justin Ross Lanford as the owner of one of the vehicles.

Lanford shortly after called police and told them his vehicle was stolen by gunpoint in a nearby parking lot.

Because of that, police believed a gunman fled the scene, and they set up a perimeter in the area with the assistance of Lexington County Sheriff’s Department’s K-9 Division to track the suspect.

Investigators later determined Lanford was the driver of the vehicle and that he falsified the report of an armed assailant stealing his car.

He has been charged with filing a false police report and driving under suspension.

Anyone with information about Lanford’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Lexington Police Department at (803) 359-6260 or Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME SC or www.midlandscrimestoppers.com/. People who leave anonymous tips that lead to an arrest, as well as recovery of stolen property and drugs, can receive rewards up to $1,000.

This story was originally published May 11, 2016 at 2:37 PM.