MCDONALD, Ohio - Police say the owner of Ianazone's Pizza filed a false report, claiming he had been robbed of $32,000.

Last Thursday morning, Jim Ianazone told police that he was held up at gunpoint by two men outside his East Marshall Street store.

Ianazone told police that the robbers drove away in a white Chevy Cruze with $32,000.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification joined the investigation and determined that no robbery occurred.

 According to police, Ianazone confessed that he staged the robbery because he was being extorted for cash.

Ianazone further stated that he has paid an undisclosed amount of money to the two alleged suspects that he had previously accused of robbing him.

Ianazone was unable to provide police with very much information on the alleged extortionist, nor have investigators been able to find any credible evidence related to an extortion plot.

Police say they will continue investigating the extortion allegations, but will also consult with the prosecutor about the false report filed by Ianazone.

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