Trying to pass off an earlier collision as a hit-and-run crash has led to charges for a driver north of Brampton, police say.<\/p>\n
The investigation started in January when the OPP says officers from the Caledon detachment received a report about a hit-and-run crash where an unknown driver struck their vehicle and fled the scene without exchanging insurance information.<\/p>\n
But officers discovered that the driver had fabricated the crash, and was in fact involved in a collision a month earlier. Investigators say the vehicle was uninsured at the time of the actual crash, and that the hit-and-run report was filed in an attempt to get reimbursement for the damages.<\/p>\n
The OPP says a 23-year-old Caledon resident has been charged with public mischief and fraud over $5,000. The identity of the accused has not been released. The accused is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Orangeville at a later date to answer to the charges.<\/p>\n
Police say vehicle collisions and automotive insurance frauds can take many different forms. The Caledon OPP laid fraud charges in at least four allegedly staged carjacking incidents last year<\/a>. In one incident, police say a staged\u00a0gunpoint carjacking that led to charges for five suspects from Brampton and Caledon.<\/p>\n Anyone with information about this incident can contact the OPP by calling 1-888-310-1122. Anonymous tips may also be provided to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or visiting www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca<\/a>.<\/p>\n When you contact Crime Stoppers you stay anonymous, never have to testify, and could receive a $2,000 reward.<\/p>\n