A significant auto insurance fraud ring, involving fifteen individuals, including a California Highway Patrol (CHP) employee, has been dismantled in Southern California. The organized crime ring operated by colluding to profit from fraudulent auto insurance claims amounting to over $350,000, according to the California Department of Insurance.

Investigation Unveils Fraudulent Scheme

The Inland Empire Automobile Insurance Task Force initiated the investigation in November 2022 following reports of illicit activities by Rosa Isela Santistevan, a 55-year-old non-sworn CHP employee from Irvine. Santistevan allegedly sold traffic crash reports containing personal information of individuals involved in collisions across Southern California.

Connection and Collaboration

The investigation, which led to the arrest of fifteen individuals, including Santistevan, uncovered a complex network of collusion. Authorities retrieved over 3,500 CHP traffic crash reports from the residence of Esmeralda Parga, a 26-year-old resident of Pomona. Through investigation, Parga was linked to Santistevan via the alleged ringleader, Andre Angelo Reyes, 36, from Corona.

Exploitation of Relationships

The scheme reportedly began when Reyes cultivated relationships with Santistevan and other CHP employees by contributing to various CHP events and functions. Subsequently, Santistevan purportedly printed and sold thousands of traffic reports to Reyes, who then passed them on to Parga.

Tow Trucks and Misrepresentation

Parga, in turn, would contact individuals listed in the reports, posing as a representative from their insurance company. She allegedly arranged for the vehicles to be towed to repair centers misrepresented as approved by the insurance companies. Tow trucks, purportedly involved in the scheme, would transport the vehicles to CA Collision, owned by Anthony Gomez, 35, from Jurupa Valley.

Holding Vehicles Hostage

Once at CA Collision, the vehicles were allegedly held hostage, with the insurance companies contacted to demand cash payments for their release. The investigation also uncovered evidence indicating the involvement of the ring in other insurance fraud schemes, including collusive collisions.

Legal Ramifications and Suspects

The fifteen suspects involved in the fraudulent activities have been identified as follows:

• Andre Angelo, 36, Corona
• Rosa Isela Santistevan, 55, Irvine
• Esmeralda Parga, 26, Pomona
• Anthony Gomez, 35, Jurupa Valley
• Ezequiel Baltazar Orozco, 30, Los Angeles
• Antonio Terraas Perez Jr., 19, Los Angeles
• Erika Garcia, 31, Los Angeles
• Israel Avila Sandoval, 45, Pomona
• Luis Alberto Ramirez Jr., 32, San Bernardino
• Robert Arzac, 49, West Covina
• Antonio Ramirez Perez, 44, Los Angeles
• Brian Anthony Lopez, 25, Anaheim
• Emily Marie Boatman, 26, Ontario
• Ricardo Parga Jr., 23, Pomona
• Steven Anthony Alfaro, 38, Buena Park

Charges and Losses

All fifteen suspects, three of whom are not yet in custody, face charges including insurance fraud, grand theft by trick, and false impersonation. The charges stem from 19 fraudulent claims, resulting in a total loss of $353,035.

Conclusion: Combating Insurance Fraud

The busting of this auto insurance fraud ring highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat organized crime and protect consumers from fraudulent activities. The collaboration between various agencies underscores the importance of vigilance in detecting and prosecuting such schemes, ultimately safeguarding the integrity of the insurance system.

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