By Jay Almond, News Editor
Tuesday, January 22, 2008 — State and local investigators believe they’ve uncovered an organized fraud conspiracy and as a result, several area residents are facing criminal charges.
A joint investigation by Albemarle Police Depart-ment (APD) and N.C. Department of Insurance (DOI), with assistance from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, led to the arrests of two Albemarle residents and one Wadesboro man.
Fredrick Teal, 45, of 334 Crump Road, Wadesboro, along with Robert Trent Almond, 49, of 205 Eben St., and Shanika Denise Jones, 21, of 607 N First St., both of Albemarle, were all arrested in connection with the alleged scam ring.
Warrants have been issued for the arrest of another man, Bernard Teal, who is still being sought by authorities for his suspected involvement in the ring.
Charges on the suspects stem from insurance claims filed on auto policies.
Those claims consisted of the same damage being submitted multiple times to various insurance companies.
Although the suspects said they had no affiliation with one another during the claims process, an in-depth investigation revealed they did have personal relationships and friendships with each other.
Fredrick Teal faces seven counts of insurance fraud, seven counts of obtaining property by false pretenses and one count of felony conspiracy.
He was placed under a $100,000 secured bond.
Almond is charged with six counts of insurance fraud, five counts of obtaining property by false pretenses, one count of attempting to obtain property by false pretenses and one count of felony conspiracy.
His bond was set at $100,000.
Jones is charged with two counts of insurance fraud, one count of obtaining property by false pretenses, one count of attempting to obtain property by false pretenses and one count of felony conspiracy. Her bond was set at $25,000.
Bernard Teal is wanted for five counts of insurance fraud, five counts of obtaining property by false pretenses and one count of felony conspiracy.
Jay Almond can be contacted by email at snaponline21@yahoo.com.
