theft News

Washington Commissioner’s ‘Insurance Fraud Most Wanted’ Suspect Extradited

Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s criminal investigations unit has extradited Kreidler’s “insurance fraud most wanted suspect” Jessica Epler from Pennsylvania to face felony charges of theft and insurance fraud in Spokane County. Epler has been on Kreidler’s most wanted list …

Washington Woman Charged in Tiffany Bracelet Claim

Teri Simpson, 43, of Napavine, Wash., was charged in Lewis County Superior Court with second-degree theft in connection with an insurance claim over an expensive piece of jewelry. An investigation by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit shows Simpson …

Judge Rules Convicted Swindler in Connecticut Won’t Have to Pay Restitution

A judge has ruled that a former Connecticut insurance broker convicted of swindling millions of dollars from several elderly clients won’t have to repay the money, as originally ordered. Galan Newton was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2001 …

Man Charged with Generator Fraud in Connecticut after Superstorm Sandy

An Oregon man has been charged with stealing deposits Connecticut homeowners had made for generators after Superstorm Sandy. The Stamford Advocate reports that 56-year-old John Mech, of Seaside, Oregon, took a $7,500 deposit from a Stamford, Conn., homeowner for a …

Connecticut Town Faces Federal Lawsuit After Extortion Conviction

A Connecticut man who claims to have tipped off the FBI about extortion from a zoning official has now filed a federal lawsuit against the town where he says it took place. WTNH-TV recently acquired a copy of the lawsuit …

Ex-Executive in Maryland Sentenced for Stealing $4.5M from Firm

A former executive for a national construction company who, federal prosecutors say, stole $4.5 million from her employer and spent it on expensive cars and restaurant meals has been sentenced. Forty-six-year-old Wendy Collins pleaded guilty to wire fraud. She was …

Ex-Nanny for Penguins Player in Pennsylvania Gets 5-Year Federal Sentence

The former nanny of Pittsburgh Penguins player Chris Kunitz was sentenced Tuesday to five years in federal prison for setting fire to her rental residence and then filing fraudulent insurance claims for the contents. The public defender for Andrea Forsythe, …

Travelers Says Property-Related Claims Spike on Halloween

On Halloween, homeowners have more to worry about than running out of candy for trick-or-treaters. The Travelers insurance company says there are 24 percent more property crime-related claims on Halloween than an average day. To prevent theft or vandalism, the …

Police Searching for 2 Kentucky Men Accused of Stealing, Pawning Guitars

Police are looking for two Lexington, Ky., men charged with stealing guitars from music stores. The Lexington Herald-Leader reports arrest warrants have been issued for 37-year-old Jeremiah Hager and 35-year-old Jerason L. Banks. Police say Hager was charged with several …

Surge in Auto Break-Ins Bumping up Crime Rate in Mississippi City

Hundreds of vehicle break-ins are a big part of the reason that major crimes are up in Hattiesburg. There were 376 vehicle break-ins during the first nine months of this year, compared to 114 a year ago, The Hattiesburg American …