An arraignment on March 5 uncovered a plot that 30-year-old Roberto Garcia thought up in connection to a March 3, 2019, hit-and-run accident.
Garcia is now being formally charged with presenting a false vehicle claim to his insurance company, a felony hit-and-run charge, and falsely reporting a stolen vehicle.
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Based on the investigation conducted by the California Department of Insurance, Garcia filed a claim last year after saying his car was stolen and it then sustained damage from a hit-and-run accident after being stolen.
Garcia supported this claim by filing a stolen vehicle report with the Chula Vista Police Department. He stated that he had dropped his keys at a local Chula Vista bar and the vehicle was then stolen.
Based on the investigation performed by both agencies, Garcia and his girlfriend struck another car on the freeway and sped away from the scene. This accident resulted in minor injuries to a child. The same day the accident occurred is the same day the vehicle theft was reported.
The Department of Insurance is stating that this was Garcia’s attempt at covering up his involvement in the hit-and-run accident that injured the juvenile and to get a payout of $10,000 from the insurance company.
It is unclear if Garcia’s girlfriend will face charges as an accomplice in the crimes committed.
Garcia was being held with a $50,000 bond but has been released after posting it. His next court date in conjunction with the case is scheduled for March 20.
There was no indication of how he has pleaded to the charges or if he has obtained legal counsel at this time. He is currently facing up to six years in jail based on the current charges.
No other details regarding the case have been publicly released at this time.