N.J. Resident Gets Pulled Over for Making False Stolen Vehicle Claim on Rental

New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice Director Vaughn McKoy announced that a Union County resident has been sentenced for attempting to steal more than $11,600 by falsely reporting the theft of a rental vehicle.

According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden-Brown, Sean D. Walker, 38, of Plainfield, Union County, was sentenced by Union County Superior Court Judge Joseph Donohue on Nov. 12 to serve two years probation and to pay a $5,000 civil fine after pleading guilty to a criminal Accusation filed by the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor.

At the Aug. 25 guilty plea, Walker reportedly admitted that on Feb.3, 2002, he falsely told the Plainfield Police Department, Plainfield, Union County, that a 2002 Toyota Corolla rented from Enterprise Rent-a-Car had been stolen. Walker subsequently submitted a vehicle theft claim to Liberty Mutual Insurance Company seeking $11,600 – the value of the vehicle.

An investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor determined that the car had not been stolen. Walker, in actuality, had lent the vehicle to a friend who had been involved in a hit and run accident. The Plainfield Police subsequently recovered the vehicle.