Now It’s Stolen, Now It’s Not

A joint investigation by the CDI and the Tulare County District Attorney’s Auto Insurance Fraud Unit led to the sentencing of Enrique Medina, 25, who pled guilty prior to his preliminary hearing. Medina was sentenced in the Tulare County Superior Court to 365 days in jail and received a $200 civil fine, with restitution to his insurer, Coast National Insurance, left open.

According to investigators, in April 2001, Medina reported his vehicle stolen from the Sequoia Mall in Visalia, Calif. Upon noticing discrepancies in Medina’s statement, as well as evidence in the vehicle that suggested it had not been stolen, Coast National confronted Medina.

Medina recanted his earlier version of the events, stating that his vehicle was not stolen after all. Investigators reported that Medina stated he wanted to purchase another vehicle but could not afford to sell his own because he owed more on it than he had financed.

Topics Auto Fraud