“Crash for Cash” Nets 10 More

10  more individuals from Tampa have been charged in the on going crack-down of staged auto collisions dubbed “Operation Crash for Cash” by the Hillsborough County Sherrif’s Department. Tampa has the dubious distinction as being the number two city in the United States for staged accidents and apparently that does not sit well with the Hillsborough County Sheriff as they have been rounding up perpetrators by the dozens in this ongoing dragnet.

According to the Tampa Bay.Com News, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department arrested eight individuals on Friday and is still on the hunt for two others for their alleged roles in staged car accident scheme involving U-Haul trucks.

“The suspects arrested Friday were all employees of or tied to Medical Rehab Choice, 3104 W Waters Ave.”

“Those arrested include Hiram Beltran, 39, Luz Quinones, 41, Matthew Aviles, 19, Herbert Prieto, 29, Yasmin Heredia-Acevedo, 31, Ubaldo Gascon, 36, Rosario Gascon, 35, and Chester Sanchez, 30.”

According to authorities, surveillance of an alleged staged crash revealed several individuals running out of one vehicle while another person repositioned the car so that another vehicle could ram into it causing further damage.  After the collision the participants get back into the vehicle and claim injuries sustained from the collision. Authorities also stated that the investigation unveiled the use of U-Haul trucks in the staged crashes and believe it was because the rental company sold $1 million dollar insurance policies for only $100 dollars.  Individuals involved in the scheme were paid between $750 and 1,000 dollars for their participation. However, policy holders are the ones left holding the bag in the end with each auto claim adding between $250-300 dollars to the annual cost of car insurance.

Authorities are still on the look-out for two other individuals alleged to be part of the scheme; 23-year-old Tampa resident and clinic owner, Juan Carlos and 32-year-old Lakeland resident, Sugeidi Serrano.  Both individuals currently remain at large.  All individuals face charges of scheming to defraud.