Cape Coral man accused of damaging his own car for insurance money

www.nbc-2.com , Sarah Metts, April 24, 2024

CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

After an extensive investigation, the Lee County Sheriff's Office arrested a Cape Coral man for fraud.

Detectives say Ivan Gomez falsely reported a crime to law enforcement and committed insurance fraud, a crime they believe he was behind.

On February 24, reports say Gomez claimed to have dropped his car off at the tire shop on Palm Beach Blvd for an oil change.

He told the sheriff's office, and a few hours later, he got a call back from the owner, who claimed the car was vandalized.

The Mercedes Benz had two smashed windows, a broken dashboard computer, and ripped seats. The only seat not destroyed was the driver's side.

Detectives found cameras nearby that captured Gomez on video, dropping off the car and grabbing a metal rod to damage it himself.

They discovered Gomez owed about $40,000 on the car, and after the damages, he filed an insurance claim, according to his arrest report. Four days after filing the claim, he withdrew it.

Gomez was arrested on April 17; he has since been released from jail.

News article: Florida man accused of damaging his own car for insurance money (nbc-2.com)