Fresno woman arraigned on felony counts of arson and insurance fraud
News: 2020 Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Carmen Arreguin, 62, was arraigned today on multiple felony counts of insurance fraud, arson and reporting a false crime after allegedly committing vehicular arson and reporting her car stolen to receive an undeserved insurance payout.
On November 20, 2018, Arreguin reported to the Fresno Police Department that her GMC Sierra had been stolen from in front of her Fresno home. She filed a claim with her insurance company, Coast National Insurance, for the loss. One week later, Arreguin's Sierra was located partially burned and dumped in a rural area of Fresno County.
A certified fire and explosives investigator examined the Sierra and determined there were no signs of forced entry to the car, the anti-theft system had not been disabled, and the vehicle was intentionally set on fire using an accelerant. An investigation by California Department of Insurance detectives uncovered additional evidence that placed Arreguin near the burn site the evening the vehicle was set ablaze.
Arreguin was arraigned in Fresno County Superior Court. Her next court date is scheduled for January 20, 2021. The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting this case.
# # #
Led by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the California Department of Insurance is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry. Under the Commissioner’s direction, the Department uses its authority to protect Californians from insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, oversee insurer solvency to pay claims, set standards for agents and broker licensing, perform market conduct reviews of insurance companies, resolve consumer complaints, and investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. Consumers are urged to call 1-800-927-4357 with any questions or contact us at www.insurance.ca.gov via webform or online chat. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800-927-4357. Teletypewriter (TTY), please dial 800-482-4833.
