BAKERSFIELD, CA - Bakersfield Police say they are recommending the District Attorney file charges against a woman suspected of making a false police report of rape Wednesday night.
Officers say the woman told them she was attacked while exercising on the bike path.
Bakersfield Police say once they received the report, dozens of officers were on scene looking for evidence and a suspect.
Police say it wasn't until early Thursday morning the 29-year-old woman told them she made up the story.
Officers say she told them it happened on the bike path, near the south Allen Road Bridge just off Ming Avenue.
The department says 30 officers responded because she reported she was raped while exercising alone.
"We allocated every available resource and then some who weren't even available, we still allocated those resources," said Sgt. Joe Grubbs, Bakersfield Police Department.
But as officers continued to investigate, they say the woman fessed up.
"It was later determined, she told us that this action didn't occur," said Grubbs.
An action that prompted emergency alerts by the BPD to nearby residents, warning them a rape had just occurred.
Officers say the woman even went to the hospital for treatment.
"We're going to treat every case exactly like it happened and exactly like the victim portrays to us until such a time that we have some kind of evidence or some kind of proof that it didn't happen," said Grubbs.
Once the crime was reported Wednesday night, many residents were on edge and sharing information on social media.
But, people we spoke with who visit the bike path say it's a nice environment and feel safe.
"I never see any issues. I always see decent people here hanging out so I don't feel uncomfortable," said Maria Pineda, bike path user.
Police say with many people using the bike path daily, they want everyone to stay safe and they recommend going with another person.
"Be aware of your surroundings, know what's going on, carry a whistle. A whistle is a small thing that gets people's attention especially on the bike path. That's something you don't hear a lot," continued Grubbs.
Police say they take sexual assaults very seriously and if you're ever attacked, call 911 immediately.