A reported robbery and abduction at the Gateway Laundromat on Sunday, July 6, 2025, led to an extensive search by law enforcement before being determined a false alarm, resulting in the arrest of the reporting party.
At approximately 9:33 A.M., Lake City Police Department officers responded to the laundromat at 1101 W US Highway 90. The reporting party claimed he had been robbed at knifepoint by an unknown male who then abducted his girlfriend.
Officers from both the Lake City Police Department and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office canvassed the area extensively, but could not locate any suspect or victim. During the investigation, the reporting party, identified as Benjamin Josiah Raber, 28, began to change key details of his story.
Authorities eventually contacted the alleged victim by phone, who confirmed she was safe and stated she had not seen Raber since July 4. Clay County deputies then conducted a well-being check, confirming she was unharmed and staying in Keystone Heights. Interviews with laundromat employees and a nearby witness further contradicted Raber’s claims, with no one observing any incident matching his account. Surveillance footage reviewed by management also corroborated that Raber was alone and no altercation had taken place.
Raber was subsequently arrested and transported to the Columbia County Detention Facility without incident.
“The resources expended due to false claims take away from legitimate emergencies in our community,” stated Chief of Police Gerald Butler. “We appreciate the swift response of our officers with assistance from the Columbia and Clay County Sheriff’s Offices in resolving this situation quickly and safely.”
Anyone with information regarding this or any other crime is encouraged to contact the Lake City Police Department at (386) 752-4343 or report information anonymously through the LCPD TIPS line at (386) 719- 2068 or Crime Stoppers of Columbia County at (386) 754-7099.
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