COVINA >> A man who reported being carjacked at gunpoint in Covina early Sunday ended up behind bars himself after police determined he made up the story, officials said.
Edward Romero, 30, of Azusa called police about 1:40 a.m. and reported he had been carjacked a little over an hour earlier while stopped at a red light at Azusa Avenue and Grondahl Street, Covina police Sgt. Tony Zavala said.
Romero told investigators two men were crossing the street and asked him for directions before pulling a gun and demanding his 1998 Honda Civic, Zavala said.
But as the investigation continued, the story fell apart, he said.
Romero ultimately admitted that he had lent his car to a friend, who had failed to return it, Zavala said.
Police arrested Romero on suspicion of filing a false police report, a misdemeanor. He was released with a citation, booking records show.
The car remained missing Sunday afternoon and was being treated as a stolen vehicle, he said.