Louisiana Trio Arrested for Insurance Fraud

According to KSLA News and state police, Aisha Barnes reported her 2008 Chevrolet Trail Blazer stolen, and then filed a claim with her insurance company for reimbursement. We should probably mention that Barnes used to be a Shreveport Police officer.

Louisiana State Police arrested Barnes and two accomplices, Thomas Williams, and Kanisha Knuckles, on June 6th, after an investigation into a complaint that was made back in October of 2009 to the Insurance Fraud/Auto Theft Unit.

Troopers say shortly after the claim was filed, the SUV was found on fire in rural area of Louisiana.

During the course of the investigation, it was learned that Knuckles, who is a friend of Barnes’, had apparently borrowed the SUV when it was allegedly stolen.

Upon interviewing Barnes investigators quickly learned that her brother, Williams also played a role in the scheme. Investigators concluded that all three had conspired to actually have the vehicle stolen and burned in an effort to defraud the insurance company in hopes of getting a settlement to pay off some existing debts.

According to the Louisiana State Police, Barnes was on leave from the SPD, pending an Internal Affairs investigation, when she resigned her position. This was before arrest warrants could be issued.

Barnes, Williams, and Knuckles all reportedly surrendered to authorities on the 8th at the Caddo Correctional Center. They now each face one count of Insurance fraud.

Please note that these are still merely allegations made against the defandants, and all are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.