Lawrence Police Arrest Five for Insurance Fraud

For Immediate Release

Friday, June 19, 2015

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 781-533-9398
Email: john@jgpr.net

Lawrence Police Arrest Five for Insurance Fraud

LAWRENCE — Police Chief James X. Fitzpatrick reports that the Lawrence Police Department arrested three men and two women as part of a major investigation and crackdown on insurance fraud in the city.

In partnership with investigators from the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts, Lawrence Police were able to arrest the five suspects, all residents of Lawrence, and charged them with Fraudulent Motor Vehicle Claims and Attempting to Commit a Crime: 

• JOSE MUNOZ, AGE 44
• JUAN ANTONIO MORALES, AGE 51
• PAUL DELACRUZ, AGE 27
• KATHERINE MALDONADO, AGE 30
• ANNE SANCHEZ, AGE 25 

“We have a strong working partnership with the Insurance Fraud Bureau, allowing the Lawrence Police Department to successfully investigate allegations of fraud and bring these five individuals to face justice,” Chief Fitzpatrick said.  “Insurance fraud is not a victim-less crime by any stretch of the imagination. Fraudulent claims result in higher insurance premiums for the rest of us, and the perpetrators could be seriously hurt or killed in the process of staging dangerous motor vehicle accidents.”

On March 2, MUNOZ was arrested for filing a false insurance claim.  MUNOZ claimed that his vehicle was damaged while parked outside his residence.  Investigators found the damage was caused while the vehicle was in motion, casting doubt on his story.

On June 16, MALDONADO was arrested for filing a false claim with Hanover Insurance that her vehicle was involved in a hit and run accident.  Forensics experts concluded the damaged was caused by a fixed object while the vehicle was in motion.   SANCHEZ was also arrested on June 16 for filing false claims that her vehicle was damaged while parked in front of her residence,  and also that her vehicle was stolen.  Arbella Insurance denied both claims and hired forensic experts who determined both claims to be false.

On June 16, MORALES was arrested for filing a false claim that her vehicle was involved in a hit and run accident.  Forensic experts determined the damage to be caused by two separate impacts in one event, most likely from a chain link fence rather than another vehicle.

On June 17, DELACRUZ was arrested for filing a false insurance claim with Met Life Insurance.  DELACRUZ reported his vehicle was involved in a hit and run accident, but investigators found evidence that indicated the damage was caused by a vehicle in motion rather than parked.

The cases were referred to the Essex District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

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