| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 6576 | 2015-05-27 | Statewide | LSP Insurance Fraud / Auto Theft Unit Investigations Result in Nine Arrests |
HEADQUARTERS NEWS RELEASE May 27, 2015 LSP Insurance Fraud / Auto Theft Unit Investigations Result in Nine Arrests Baton Rouge, LA – During the month of May, Troopers assigned to the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud/Auto Theft Unit brought numerous criminal investigations to conclusion resulting in nine arrests. The Insurance Fraud Unit is responsible for investigating referrals of suspected fraudulent insurance acts and promoting awareness of insurance fraud throughout the state. Summarized below are several investigations resulting in arrests throughout the month of May. · On May 1, 2015, Troopers arrested 55 year old Bryan Rutledge of Port Barre pursuant to a State Police warrant charging him with one count of Damage to Property with Intent to Defraud. A State Police investigation determined that in 2014 Rutledge purchased a 1999 Toyota Avalon and financed approximately $6,000.00 with the dealership, Supreme Autos LLC of Lafayette. Rutledge made one payment of $200.00. The account became past due and the lienholder made attempts to recover the vehicle. In January of 2015, Rutledge sold the vehicle to a licensed crusher for $230.00. Rutledge signed an Auto Hulk affidavit attesting that the vehicle had neither liens nor mortgages against it. The vehicle was crushed without the consent or knowledge of the lienholder. Rutledge was booked into the St. Landry Parish Jail. · In a separate investigation on May 1, 2015, LSP Insurance Fraud/Auto Theft Investigators from the New Orleans office were contacted by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and Louisiana State Probation and Parole for assistance on an ongoing auto theft investigation. JPSO Detectives received information that a New Orleans resident may be in possession of stolen property. After further investigation LSP Detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence of 58 year old Darnell Ellis of New Orleans, LA. Ellis was found to be in possession of the following stolen property: 1. 2011 “SCAGG” zero turn lawnmower (value $5,000.00) (stolen from Jefferson Parish) 2. 1999 Chevrolet pick-up truck ($10,000.00) (stolen from Orleans Parish) 3. 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe engine ($10,000.00) (stolen from Orleans Parish) In addition to the above listed stolen items, the following property was suspected of possibly being stolen and towed pending additional investigation: 1. 2000 Chevrolet Suburban, no plate, no registered owner 2. 18 foot flat trailer, no VIN or decals 3. 16 foot box trailer, no VIN or decals Darnell Ellis was placed under arrest and transported to the Orleans Parish Prison where he was booked with 3 counts of Possession of Stolen Things. · On October 3, 2012, the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud/Auto Theft Unit received a complaint from the Louisiana Department of Insurance originating from Louisiana Farm Bureau insurance company. According to the complaint, Sharon Jackson of Shreveport, LA filed a fraudulent theft claim in July of 2012 involving her 2009 Cadillac STS. Jackson claimed the theft of custom wheels and tires off of her vehicle with an estimated value of approximately $6,100.00. Farm Bureau requested copies of Jackson’s original receipts to verify her ownership of the items allegedly stolen. In response to Farm Bureau’s request, Jackson submitted copies of invoices which were deemed to be fraudulent. On May 5, 2015, Jackson surrendered to Troopers at the Caddo Parish Correctional Center and was booked on one count of Insurance Fraud. · On May 11, 2015, 54 year old Carolyn Gleen of Baton Rouge, LA was placed under arrest on one count of Insurance Fraud, one count of Perjury, one count of Filing a False Public Record, and one count of Improper Telephone Communications. The arrests followed an investigation by the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud/Auto Theft Unit after receiving a complaint from the State Farm Insurance Company. The complaint alleged that Gleen committed insurance fraud when she fabricated a burglary at her storage unit. On June 29, 2013, Gleen made a complaint to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office that the locks to her storage unit at Redstick Storage were cut from the unit. Investigating deputies made note that it was apparent that no burglary had occurred. On July 2, 2013, she filed a claim with her insurance company, State Farm, claiming the loss of $20,209.00 in personal valuables as a result of a burglary of her storage unit. Through further investigation, Gleen was found to have filed a false police report, made threats of violence to a State Farm employee, presented false evidence to State Farm, and backed the false evidence with false testimony under oath. Gleen was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail. · On May 12, 2015, LSP Insurance Fraud and Auto Theft Unit Investigators from the Alexandria Field Office received information that a reported stolen recreational vehicle, valued at approximately $250,000.00, was in fact at a location near Hemphill, Texas. The motorhome had been reported stolen to Alexandria Police Department in 2008 by Morris Goldberg and his now deceased wife. Further investigation revealed that the motorhome was relocated to property owned by the Goldbergs in Hemphill, Texas and that Mr. Goldberg continued to live in the motorhome. With the assistance of the Sabine County Sheriff’s Office, LSP Investigators verified the motorhome was still on the property and discovered that the Goldbergs also filed an insurance claim and was paid by their carrier, American Modern Insurance Group. Mr. Goldberg turned himself in to Troopers at the Rapides Parish Jail and was booked on charges of Conspiracy to Commit Insurance Fraud, Conspiracy to Commit Theft, and Conspiracy to File a False Police Report. · On May 13, 2015, Troopers arrested 41 year old Kristi Obst and 40 year old Donald Obst of Morgan City, Louisiana pursuant to State Police warrants charging them with Insurance Fraud. A State Police investigation determined that in May of 2014 Kristi and Donald Obst falsely reported the date of loss to Progressive insurance company to ensure coverage of their damaged Sea-Doo watercrafts. The Obsts were booked accordingly into the St. Mary Parish Jail. · · On May 20, 2015, 38 year old Kimberly Cummins of Lake Charles, LA was booked into the Calcasieu Parish Correctional Center on two counts of Identity Theft and two counts of Filing or Maintaining False Public Records. The arrest was the result of an investigation showing that Cummins forged the names of others onto two automobile titles while employed by Elite Wholesale Auto in Lake Charles.
LSP Investigators work closely with the LA Department of Insurance, local judicial offices, and the Louisiana Attorney General’s office in successfully bringing individuals involved in committing insurance fraud to justice. The Insurance Fraud Unit has field offices located throughout the state in which Troopers investigate various types of insurance fraud cases such as staged crashes, “jump-in” crashes, fraudulent injury claims, worker’s compensation fraud, forged medical records, and inflated property claims. | |||
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