Firebaugh driver arrested for alleged auto insurance fraud
News: 2021 Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Gustavo Silva, 32, of Firebaugh, was arrested for multiple felony counts of insurance fraud after allegedly hiding his vehicle in a warehouse where he worked and then reporting the vehicle stolen.
An investigation by the Department of Insurance revealed Silva reported to the Firebaugh Police Department and his insurance company that his 2018 Honda Accord was stolen by an unknown person while the vehicle was warming up. A few months later, during an unrelated commercial burglary investigation at Silva’s employer, the Firebaugh Police Department learned a black Honda Accord matching Silva’s stolen vehicle was found in a locked warehouse but had since been moved.
The Firebaugh Police Department later served an unrelated search warrant and found Silva’s Honda Accord, along with other stolen vehicles, inside a semi-truck trailer at an address in Firebaugh.
Based on Silva’s alleged fraudulent statements, his insurance company paid approximately $23,000 to the financer of the Honda Accord.
Silva was arrested by the Firebaugh Police Department on January 23, 2021. The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting this case.
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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.
