Authorities Investigating Car Theft Ring Linked To Jamaica
700 Stolen Cars Found On Island
POSTED: 11:49 am EST December 10,
2004
PORT EVERGLADES, Fla. -- Authorities in Broward County are investigating a car theft ring that bilked millions of dollars from insurance companies by shipping cars to Jamaica and then reporting them stolen.Broward County Sheriff Ken Jenne said a dozen suspects are being investigated for their roles in the scheme -- both in South Florida and Jamaica -- but no arrests have been made.About 700 stolen cars were found in Jamaica and officials estimate more than 300 were stolen in South Florida.
Many of the cars had been shipped to Jamaica, either intact or dismantled for parts, weeks before they were reported stolen.Jenne said there are some cases where the car owners allowed the vehicles to be stolen so they could get out of leases and get insurance benefits.A State Farm Insurance spokesman said fraudulent claims cost the average driver $200 to $300 a year in car insurance.
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