Crime & Safety
Police: Gulfport Man Falsely Accused Local Employee of Attack
The 56-year-old transient was arrested on several charges after police say he made a false claim.
Gulfport Police arrested a homeless man after his accusations turned out to be untrue, according to arrest reports.
Dennis E. Coble, 56, of Gulfport, was arrested on Sunday, Sept. 8 on the charges of false report of a crime and false 911 call.
According to Pinellas County arrest reports, Coble called 911 at the Supergas service station to report that he was the victim of a battery at Gulfport Liquors.
Coble claimed that the clerk at Gulfport Liquors pushed him to the ground, causing his knee to be scraped, according to reports. Police say he then claimed that the clerk did not push him down, but shut the door on his leg intentionally.
Police say Coble's claims were later proven to be false when video surveillance was reviewed. The video showed no such physical altercation, according to reports.
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