Eight More Arrested in San Diego Fraud Ring

Eight more suspects were rounded up and arrested yesterday for their alleged involvement in staging accidents in what authorities have dubbed “operation hit and run.” California State Insurance Commissioner, Steve Poizner, alleges that the suspects took part in the scheme so they could file bogus personal injury claims with insurers.

The suspects arrested yesterday were identified as Tamar Bradley, Wade Bradley, Michael Jones, Jiaire Martin, Rodney Martin, Shareese Spence, George Thomas and Frank Torbert III.

According to Channel 6 News in San Diego

“The charges against the group of defendants stem from five alleged staged traffic accidents. In each case, the vehicle that caused the collision, commonly referred to as the “hammer” vehicle, was abandoned at the scene prior to the arrival of police, according to the California Department of Insurance.

Follow-up investigation revealed that those autos had either been abandoned by their registered owners or reported stolen prior to the collisions in question.

For each crash, the passengers in the other involved vehicle, referred to as the “nail” vehicle, claimed soft-tissue injuries and sought treatment at a local hospital, according to CDI officials. The supposed patients later filed personal-injury claims with insurers.

When the insurance company settled the claims, the payment checks were sent directly to the “injured” passengers, who left outstanding hospital bills, investigators said.”

Authorities initially thwarted the scheme in October of 2009 when they arrested alleged ring leader, Jay Stoney Anderson, 31, of Chula Vista. Anderson pleaded “not guilty” of insurance fraud on November 2, 2009. Along with Anderson, Patrick DeLeon, Dajuan Dunn, Malcolm H., Sharon Harville, John Jordan, Tyrone Ledet, Mary Lett, Deborah Matthews, Roger Poole and Arthur Zieglar were also charged in connection with the scheme.