Alberta man admits he faked his abduction; pleads guilty to public mischief

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – A man from southern Alberta has admitted that he staged his own abduction early this year.

Matthew Robillard (ROH’-bih-lard) of Lethbridge pleaded guilty through his lawyer to public mischief.

Friends and family became worried when Robillard, who is 25, did not turn up for work one day in January at a bank in Picture Butte.

Police say he beat himself up and smashed windows in his own vehicle to make it look like he had been abducted.

He was later found at a hotel in Calgary.

Lethbridge police said Robillard’s actions were prompted by a significant financial loss.

The police service has also said the investigation into his disappearance took a lot of resources and cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Robillard is to be back in court for sentencing on June 27.

(CJOC)