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Man Gambles Into Wee Hours, Then Allegedly Makes Up Kidnapping Story

LOCKEFORD (CBS13) - A man who spent all night gambling then allegedly made up a story about being kidnapped and robbed, was arrested for filing a false police report, according to the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies responded to the Food Mart in Lockeford on Tuesday at noon concerning a victim of an alleged kidnapping that started Monday night in San Jose.

Juan Darwin Martinez, 25, reported he was kidnapped after leaving a liquor store in San Jose, bound and gagged and ended up in San Joaquin County. Martinez told deputies that three black males suspects threatened to kill him and that he was placed in a tool shed in an unknown location and pleaded for his life.

He said the suspects eventually let him go after taking his wallet, $1,500 in cash and his uncashed payroll check. He said he unbound himself and started walking in an unknown area until he found his vehicle parked down the road with the keys in it.

Martinez reportedly said he called his girlfriend in San Jose first and then local law enforcement. San Jose police responded to his girlfriend's residence and San Joaquin County sheriff's detectives interviewed Martinez as to the circumstances surrounding his abduction.

It was discovered Martinez had been gambling at Jackson Rancheria Monday night from about 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. Tuesday. He was playing high stakes Texas Hold'em poker.

Martinez was captured on video at Jackson Rancheria, wearing the same clothing he had on while being interviewed, the sheriff's office said.

Martinez at first denied being in Jackson recently, but said he has been there in the past. Martinez eventually admitted to being there Monday night but then claimed to be pick-pocketed.

Martinez was arrested and booked into the San Joaquin County Jail for filing a false police report.

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