Cochrane RCMP are looking for 37-year-old Calgary man who they believe falsely claimed to have been struck by barbed wire while cycling a West Bragg Creek trail.

Charges of fraud under $5,000 and public mischief have been sworn against Stelianos Psaroudakis and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. RCMP are asking Psaroudakis to turn himself in and are also requesting anyone knowing his whereabouts to contact the Cochrane RCMP detachment or phone Crimestoppers.

In the investigation that ensued after the July 5 complaint, RCMP came to conclusion the events reported never took place. They based this upon interviews with other cyclists, the complainant himself and upon numerous tips from the public.

On July 5, Psaroudakis reported he had been riding his bike on a trail in West Bragg Creek when he struck a barbed wire that had been strung between two trees on the trail. The incident was said to have happened on a downhill slope while he was standing, resulting in the wire cutting his shoulder and neck and knocking him off his bike. The man also reported that after the fall, he was taken to hospital, leaving his bike behind. The next day, the bike was gone.

"The allegations raised by this complaint caused a lot of concern to the cycling community and Bragg Creek residents," says Inspector Lauren Weare, of Cochrane RCMP. "We understand the public concern raised by Mr. Psaroudakis' claim as well as his attempts to solicit money online. I want to thank everyone for their patience while this investigation took place and also thank all who came forward to provide important information."

Anyone with knoweldge of his whereabouts can contact the Cochrane detachment at 403-932-2211. If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), by internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by SMS (check your local Crime Stoppers [www.crimestoppers.ab.ca] for instructions on how).  You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers, and if you provide information to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest(s), the recovery of stolen property, and/or a seizure of illicit drugs, you may be eligible for a cash reward.