Police say the Staten Island man who told authorities someone stole his car with his 4-year-old child inside made up the story after he lost track of the boy.
Terry Liaros, 46, had told police Sunday he was unloading groceries from the car, which was parked in his Tottenville driveway, and went inside to put down the bags. When he returned to the car a moment later, he told police the car -- with his 4-year-old son inside -- was gone.
The child was found unharmed about a block and a half away 10 minutes later; police also found Liaros' car nearby.
Authorities reviewed surveillance footage in hopes of finding clues about the suspect, and found there had never been a suspect at all. They say the video, taken from where Liaros' SUV was found, "dispelled" the father's statement that a thief had taken it, according to the Staten Island Advance.
The Advance reports Liaros confessed he made up the story after the child wandered off.
Liaros was arrested early Monday and charged with filing a false report.
Information on an attorney for him wasn't immediately available.
