By Free Republic | Created at 2024-11-14 18:28:33 | Updated at 2024-11-25 04:11:23
1 week ago
Bear that attacked luxury car was actually man in costume, insurance investigators say
KTLA ^
Posted on 11/14/2024 10:05:49 AM PST by TigerClaws
Three insurance claims involving a bear damaging luxury cars in California are now believed to be fraud after it was determined that the culprit was actually a man in a costume.
Four Los Angeles residents were arrested as part of the scheme, which happened on at least three occasions.
The suspects — Ruben Tamrazian, 26, Ararat Chirkinian, 39, Vahe Muradkhanyan, 32, all of Glendale, and Alfiya Zuckerman, 39, of Valley Village — have been charged with insurance fraud and conspiracy.
The California Department of Insurance began investigating the alleged bear attacks after an insurance company received a claim in January and suspected fraud.
The vehicle owners told their insurance that a bear entered their 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost in Lake Arrowhead, causing extensive interior damage. They even provided video footage of the supposed incident.
The video showed what looked like a furry creature rooting around inside the vehicle. But after a closer look, investigators determined the bear was actually a person in a bear costume.
To confirm it wasn’t an actual bear, a biologist from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife reviewed the footage and concluded it was “clearly a human in a bear suit.”
A search warrant executed at a suspect’s home led to the discovery of the bear costume and handheld claws that were believed used in the fraud.
The investigation also uncovered two additional fraudulent claims at the same time and place involving a 2015 Mercedes G63 AMG and a 2022 Mercedes E350, officials said. All three claims featured the same alleged bear damage, with videos provided to different insurance companies.
The four suspects are accused of defrauding their insurance companies of more than $141,000.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.
TOPICS: Business/Economy; Crime/Corruption; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: armenians; bear; insurance; insurancefraud; mercedes
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1 posted on 11/14/2024 10:05:49 AM PST by TigerClaws
To: TigerClaws
2 posted on 11/14/2024 10:10:50 AM PST by DannyTN
To: TigerClaws
The suspects — Ruben Tamrazian, 26, Ararat Chirkinian, 39, Vahe Muradkhanyan, 32,
3 posted on 11/14/2024 10:12:26 AM PST by DannyTN
To: TigerClaws
Ruben Tamrazian, 26, Ararat Chirkinian, 39, Vahe Muradkhanyan, 32, all of Glendale, and Alfiya Zuckerman, 39, of Valley Village
All good Irish names ....
4 posted on 11/14/2024 10:12:54 AM PST by Ken522
To: TigerClaws
The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.
sometimes work is fun
5 posted on 11/14/2024 10:14:20 AM PST by PeterPrinciple (Thinking Caps are no longer being issued but there must be a warehouse full of them somewhere.)
To: Ken522
If they come from Glendale….more than likely Armos.
6 posted on 11/14/2024 10:14:41 AM PST by kaktuskid
To: Ken522
Armenian mob
Well known in LA, look up Armenian Power
7 posted on 11/14/2024 10:16:54 AM PST by Regulator (It's fraud, Jim)
To: TigerClaws
The real Bears should sue for defamation.
8 posted on 11/14/2024 10:16:55 AM PST by BitWielder1 (I'd rather have Unequal Wealth than Equal Poverty.)
To: TigerClaws
9 posted on 11/14/2024 10:17:57 AM PST by PeterPrinciple (Thinking Caps are no longer being issued but there must be a warehouse full of them somewhere.)
To: TigerClaws
10 posted on 11/14/2024 10:19:43 AM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
To: All
If they “identified’ as bears — ‘furries’ — would that be a legit claim?
Love the photo of the costume at the link of the story.
11 posted on 11/14/2024 10:21:57 AM PST by TigerClaws
To: TigerClaws
12 posted on 11/14/2024 10:22:15 AM PST by PeterPrinciple (Thinking Caps are no longer being issued but there must be a warehouse full of them somewhere.)
To: PeterPrinciple
I bet the police lineup was a hoot!
13 posted on 11/14/2024 10:23:02 AM PST by Farmerbob
To: TigerClaws
As is the case with most coverage questions, there isn’t a definite yes or no answer on whether all damages would be covered. However, in the case of a bear intrusion most property damage would be covered for things like breakage of glass and damages to the building or personal property of the insured. However, there is one key exclusion for animals that could apply. This is the exclusion for nesting or infestation, or discharge or release of waste products or secretions, by insects, birds, rodents, or other animals. Not a pleasant thought but there would not be coverage for damages related to this exclusion. So, what could be covered?
state farm is there...................
bear poop not covered.
14 posted on 11/14/2024 10:25:47 AM PST by PeterPrinciple (Thinking Caps are no longer being issued but there must be a warehouse full of them somewhere.)
To: Ken522
Glendale is very heavily populated Armenian area now.
15 posted on 11/14/2024 10:27:17 AM PST by pollywog (" O thou who changest not....ABIDE with me")
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