Washington Man Admits Insurance Fraud on Police Ride-Along

A Washington man trying to become an officer is facing charges after police say he confessed to theft during a ride-along.

The Daily Herald, citing records, reports that the 26-year-old man also admitted the theft on his application to become a police officer in Lake Stevens, north of Seattle. He says the theft occurred in Everett, west of Lake Stevens.

Everett police spokesman Aaron Snell said Michael Clark of Marysville was arrested Thursday on suspicion of first-degree theft, a felony. He appeared in court in Everett Friday and was ordered released without bail.

Police say Clark told a Lake Stevens officer last month that he paid a friend $300 to steal his vehicle three years ago. Police say he then collected nearly $12,000 in insurance money.

In court papers, police wrote that prosecutors determined that the statute of limitations had not expired.

It’s unclear if Clark has a lawyer, and a listed number for him could not be found.