New Jersey Man Prosecuted for False Carjacking Claim

Authorities say a central New Jersey man lied when he claimed he had been carjacked by someone who then crashed his vehicle into several parked cars.

Union County prosecutors announced Wednesday that 29-year-old Darwin Edward of New Brunswick has been charged with insurance fraud and false swearing. His bail was set at $35,000.

A telephone number for Edward could not be located Wednesday, and it was not known if he has retained a lawyer. He could face several years in prison if convicted.

The charges stem from an April 2013 accident in Plainfield.

Prosecutors say Edward claimed someone carjacked his Lexus SC400 sports coupe and drove off in it, striking several cars and wrecking his vehicle. They say the matter ultimately cost his insurance company about $30,000 in claims.