Auto Fraud Suspect Arrested in California

A Desert Hot Springs, Calif., resident was arrested for allegedly defrauding his insurance company of $26,000, the California Department of Insurance reported. Robert Andrew Nelson, 44, was arrested in Cathedral City, Calif., on April 28 on charges of filing a false police report and knowingly presenting a fraudulent insurance claim.

CDI said n Oct. 28, 2007, Nelson reported that his 2005 Expedition was stolen from his driveway in the middle of the night, wrecked, and returned to his driveway. Nelson claimed that he hosted a gathering of about a dozen acquaintances at his home and went to bed at 8 p.m. on October 27, while his guests remained at his home. He claimed he did not hear his Expedition being driven back to his home on three wheels, but found the damaged vehicle when he awoke the next morning. Nelson filed a claim with his insurance company, which paid out $26,000 in replacement costs for the vehicle.

The insurance company was subsequently contacted and informed that Nelson struck a vehicle in the early morning of October 28. A police report and an additional witness also named Nelson as the driver of his vehicle at the time of the collision, CDI said.

CDI investigators revealed that a witness heard Nelson’s vehicle strike another car in the early morning of October 28. The witness followed the Expedition to Nelson’s home. Another witness claimed to have watched Nelson walking near his vehicle and into his home following the crash. According to another witness, there were no additional cars present at Nelson’s home on the night of October 27, when he claimed he hosted a get together, CDI said.

If convicted, Nelson could face a two to five year prison sentence and fine of up to $50,000.

Source: CDI

Topics California Auto Fraud