By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Rumors on social media websites claiming a carjacking took place at the Alabaster Walmart are unfounded, according to Alabaster Police Chief Curtis Rigney.

In a letter issued on Sept. 4, Rigney wrote the rumors were untrue, and said the city has never had a carjacking incident in one of its shopping centers.

No carjacking cases have been listed in the Alabaster Police Department’s incident and arrest reports for at least the past several years.

“There have been reports on social media that several days ago there was a carjacking that occurred at the Walmart in Alabaster,” Rigney wrote. “This is not true. I am happy to report that we have never had a crime of this nature in our shopping centers.”

Rigney said the police department regularly patrols the Propst Promenade, which houses the Alabaster Walmart, the nearby South Colonial Promenade shopping center and all of the city’s shopping areas.

“We pride ourselves on having a continuing presence at the shopping centers so that the shoppers feel comfortable and safe,” Rigney wrote. “I hope this clears up any misinformation that is circulated.”