Oklahoman Arrested for Attack on Insurance Adjuster, Fraud

A Tulsa, Oklahoma, man suspected of assaulting an insurance adjuster and filing a bogus insurance claim was arrested on Aug. 13, the state insurance department reported.

The adjuster was attacked after questioning an insurance claim filed by Prentice E. Ponds II, 42, according to the Oklahoma Insurance Department.

An investigation by the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s Anti-Fraud Unit led to a warrant for Ponds’ arrest. Investigators found that Ponds filed a fraudulent insurance claim in May on a 2014 Chevy Camaro with preexisting damage he’d purchased off eBay.

Ponds claimed a woman backed a moving truck into his Camaro and caused the damage. The claim representative became suspicious of the claim after seeing photos of the damage and speaking to the woman Ponds had claimed backed into his car.

An insurance company investigator discovered the eBay listing for the Camaro. It included photos that were identical to the damage pictures Ponds sent to the claim representative.

A licensed insurance adjuster went to Ponds’ home on June 6 to question him about the claim. When he showed Ponds the eBay photos, Ponds became angry and tried to take the file out of his hands. When the adjuster resisted, he said Ponds assaulted him and took his file and audio recorder. The insurance adjuster was later treated for a head laceration and broken ribs, the department said.

Ponds, who was on parole for previous felony convictions, is charged with robbery by force and insurance fraud after former conviction of a felony. Bond is set at $500,000.

Source: Oklahoma Insurance Department

Topics Fraud Oklahoma