Three Arrested for Staged Car Crash and False Insurance Claims

West Palm Beach Police arrested and charged three people in connection with a scheme to get insurance money after staging a fake traffic accident.

According to a story on WPTV News Channel 5, the three accused of the alleged crime were Jose Begas, Donicio Ruiz, and Marilu Rodriguez.  On the evening of May 5, 2010, police reported a two-car crash around Roseland Drive and Lake Avenue, in which Rodriguez and Ruiz were driving, and Begas was a passenger in Ruiz’s car.

After the accident, police say that Begas made a false claim with his insurance, Progressive Insurance Company, to receive personal injury protection benefits. His claim was denied because his policy had lapsed when the accident occurred.  Rodriguez and Ruiz later admitted to police that the accident was staged.

The State Division of Insurance Fraud arrested Ruiz and Rodriguez on Dec. 5 and Begas on Dec. 9, all on fraud charges. The three have been released on bond.