Three Californians Arrested for Allegedly Staging Auto Theft

California residents Cameron Harris, 44, of Norco, and Michael Weaver, 45, and Kelly Weaver, 43, of Corona, Calif., have been arrested for suspected insurance fraud. All three suspects were booked into the Riverside County Jail with a total bail of $25,000.

Harris was charged by the Riverside County District Attorney’s office with two felony counts of insurance fraud and one count of concealing a crime. Michael Weaver was charged with three felony counts of insurance fraud, and Kelly Weaver was charged with one count of felony insurance fraud. If convicted, each individual could face up to five years in prison with a $150,000 fine.

Investigators say that on Oct. 14, 2004, Michael allegedly conspired with Harris to have him pick up Weaver’s truck from a restaurant in Corona and then store it in the back yard of Harris’ home in Norco. He then reported his truck stolen to the Corona Police Department and a vehicle theft claim was filed with Progressive Insurance Co.

On the theft claim, Kelly Weaver reported no collision damage although she allegedly knew the car had front end collision damage from a previous accident Michael was involved in. Investigators said she did this so as not to diminish the amount of money Progressive would pay on the claim.

During the time the truck was allegedly hidden in Harris’ backyard, Harris and Michael Weaver removed and sold the engine and transmission. On Feb. 2, 2006, the truck was recovered by a Riverside County Deputy Sheriff. By that time, Progressive had paid more than $7,000 to the Weavers.

Assistance on this case was provided by the Special Investigative Unit of Progressive Insurance Company. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and the Riverside Auto Theft Interdiction Detail (RAID) also assisted in the investigation.

Source: CDI