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Mikael Borneo, 23, told police he was robbed around 9:30 p.m. Saturday in the 400 block of Polk Street. His was one of three alleged robberies reported by police since Thursday that involved Lehigh students.
Police said an investigation revealed Borneo was not robbed and lost the money at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem.
On Monday, Bethlehem detectives interviewed Borneo about the alleged crime and he admitted losing the money while gambling on Friday and Saturday, police said.
Bethlehem police said they were assisted by Pennsylvania State Police Gaming Enforcement Unit and Sands security.
Borneo is charged with a misdemeanor count of false reports to police and will receive a citation in the mail, police said.
Police are still investigating two robberies involving Lehigh students.
According to Bethlehem and Lehigh police:
Just before 2 a.m. Monday, police said 22-year-old Ross Biggs was walking home from the store when he was jumped in the 300 block of E. Fifth Street.
Biggs told police two men hit him in the head and stole about $50 and his cell phone. Police said Biggs suffered a torn eardrum.
Around 2 a.m. Thursday, police said Lehigh graduate student Abdullah Alsaeeri was robbed in the 100 block of W. Morton Street. He told police two men threatened him with a knife and took a small amount of cash and identification cards.
Last year, police charged alleged Bloods gang members with a rash of violent armed robberies and burglaries in which many of the victims were Lehigh students. Police said gang members committed the crimes to fund the gang.
Anyone with information on the most recent robberies is asked to call Bethlehem police at 610-865-7187 or Lehigh police at 610-758-4200.
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