Calif. Pair Arrested on Felony Ins Fraud

January 13, 2003

Two Stanislaus County men were arrested on felony insurance fraud charges following an investigation by the California Department of Insurance, Criminal Investigations Branch’s Fraud Division.

Robert L. Pritchett, 28, of Patterson, Calif., was arrested and booked into the Stanislaus County Jail on three felony counts of insurance fraud. Francisco Fernandez, 37, of Newman, Calif., was also arrested and booked into jail on two felony counts of insurance fraud. Bail was set at $15,000 each. If convicted, both could face up to five years in state prison and/or a maximum fine of $50,000. The Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.

According to investigators, Pritchett claimed his vehicle was vandalized and his new rims and tires were stolen. As proof of purchase, Pritchett submitted an alleged sales receipt from F&L Tire located in Modesto. The investigation revealed the receipt was an estimate only and Pritchett had never purchased the rims and tires as claimed. As a result, F&L Tire co-owner Francisco Fernandez also admitted to investigators he illegally supplied Pritchett with the fraudulent receipt in support of the insurance claim.

Topics California Fraud

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