Girl who claimed she was gang raped made story up, police confirm Police investigating an apparent gang rape in Sydney's northern suburbs have found that the incident did not occur. A 17-year-old girl told police that she was abducted from Merindah Street in Baulkham Hills after leaving a house party in the early hours of March 3. We do believe you when you walk through our door. Detective Inspector John Kerlatec She said a group of five men in a green-coloured sedan asked her for directions to a nearby shopping centre before dragging her into the car, driving her around for several hours and raping her several times. She told police she was then dumped on a Castle Hill Street where she made a panicked phone call to a relative. Police circulated a rough description of one of the men and launched Strike Force Mikkelsen comprising local detectives and Sex Crimes Squad investigators. However, after making "extensive inquiries," police have determined that the girl made up the claims and no abduction and rape occurred. The commander of the sex crimes squad, Detective Inspector John Kerlatec, said police arrived at the conclusion after holes emerged in their investigation rather than after a confession from the girl. He said dozens of people were questioned and the case placed suspicion on many men in the area, particularly those who drove cars similar to the one described. Some were finger-pointed by others as potential suspects and probed by police. Women in the area spoke of being too afraid to go out at night. Detective Inspector Kerlatec said he was receiving calls from worried mothers and community members right up until Thursday afternoon when police made the final call that the case was fabricated. "Whilst I'm relieved that the assault didn't occur, I'm abundantly aware of the angst it has caused," he said. He said it was "frustrating" that 10 full-time officers were diverted to the case. False reports do tie up valuable resources; resources that should be redirected to investigating more pressing matters. However, he stressed that the police never seek to discredit claims of sexual assault and all reports are taken seriously. "We do believe you when you walk through our door," he said. It's not known what the girl did in the hours between leaving the party and making the distressed call to relatives. Inquiries into the actions of the 17-year-old girl are continuing and police continue to work with her and her family. People who make false reports to police are usually given an opportunity to confess and escape punishment due to the psychological issues that often underlie such behaviour, police have told Fairfax in the past. They can also be charged for making a false report to police.