Stamford woman charged with falsely reporting rape

Mercedes Irizarry, 25, of Stamford, was charged with falsely reporting that her ex-boyfriend had threatened her with a knife, kidnapped and raped her. Police found that her ex had been deported to Colombia two years earlier. less Mercedes Irizarry, 25, of Stamford, was charged with falsely reporting that her ex-boyfriend had threatened her with a knife, kidnapped and raped her. Police found that her ex had been deported to Colombia two ... more Photo: Stamford Police Department / Contributed Photo Photo: Stamford Police Department / Contributed Photo Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Stamford woman charged with falsely reporting rape 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

STAMFORD — A city woman was arrested for falsely reporting that her ex-boyfriend kidnapped her at knifepoint and raped her after police found out the man had been deported to Colombia two years earlier.

Police said Mercedes Irizarry, 25, told police that her ex-boyfriend had threatened her with a knife on Nov. 7 and drove her against her will to an apartment on Ursula Place where she was sexually assaulted, according to a press release from Lt. Diedrich Hohn and . She claimed to have escaped through a bathroom window and ran to a friend’s home where she called police.

After taking Irizarry’s sworn statement, police fast-tracked an arrest warrant for the ex-boyfriend. But when they went to the man’s home, they learned that had been deported to Colombia two years ago. Investigators confirmed his deportation with the Department of Homeland Security and through other investigative techniques determined that he was still there.

Police also found surveillance tape footage from the area that contradicted her claim of being traumatized and held against her will, the release said.

Hohn said the arrest was necessary to maintain the validity of true victims coming forward and her actions play against victims’ fears that police will not take their complaints seriously.

Hohn said victims of domestic abuse should feel free to come forward and this one incident will not fray their belief in investigating all claims of domestic abuse to the fullest.

Irizarry was charged with falsely reporting an incident and interfering with police and was released after posting a $25,000 court appearance bond.

jnickerson@scni.com;