Orange County man arrested for allegedly staging car crash to defraud insurance
Orange County man arrested for allegedly staging car crash
Orange County deputies say a man staged a car crash in an attempt to cause damage and potentially make an insurance claim. Surveillance footage captured the incident over the weekend on Irene Street.
ORLANDO, Fla. - Authorities said a man staged a car crash in Orange County in an attempt to cause damage and potentially make an insurance claim.
What we know:
Orange County deputies arrested Patricio Gelin after they say he deliberately reversed his car into another vehicle on Irene Street over the weekend.
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Surveillance footage captured the incident, investigators said. Deputies noted that a child was inside the victim’s car at the time. Gelin, 35, is facing charges of knowingly providing false information to law enforcement and criminal mischief.
What we don't know:
Authorities have not said whether Gelin successfully filed or attempted to file an insurance claim in connection with the staged crash. It also remains unclear if the child in the victim’s vehicle was injured or if additional charges could follow.
The backstory:
Staged crashes are part of a growing fraud scheme known in the insurance industry as "swoop and squat." The setup often involves drivers cutting off unsuspecting motorists and forcing collisions to file multiple insurance claims. Investigators warn that such schemes not only cost victims financially but also endanger lives.
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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Orange County Sheriff's Office.