Man suspected of burning his own truck for insurance money
AZUSA -- Police jailed an Azusa man Thursday on suspicion of deliberately torching his own pickup truck for the insurance money, police said.
Noel Perez, 22, of Azusa was booked on suspicion of felony counts of arson and insurance fraud, Azusa police Cpl. Dean Brewer said in a written statement.
Police responded to a report of a car fire on Oct. 27 at San Gabriel Canyon and Ranch roads where they found a 2003 Dodge Ram pickup truck completely engulfed in flames, police said. There was no one near the truck, which was destroyed.
Perez was identified as the truck's owner, Brewer said, and police learned he had reported it stolen.
An investigation by the Azusa Police Department and the California Department of Insurance - Los Angeles Auto Fraud Task Force indicated that the truck had been burned intentionally, Brewer said, and that Perez was responsible.
Police confronted Perez Thursday, police said, and he admitted setting fire to his truck because he could no longer afford the payments.
According to sheriff's booking records, Perez is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail and is due for arraignment Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Noel Perez, 22, of Azusa was booked on suspicion of felony counts of arson and insurance fraud, Azusa police Cpl. Dean Brewer said in a written statement.
Police responded to a report of a car fire on Oct. 27 at San Gabriel Canyon and Ranch roads where they found a 2003 Dodge Ram pickup truck completely engulfed in flames, police said. There was no one near the truck, which was destroyed.
Perez was identified as the truck's owner, Brewer said, and police learned he had reported it stolen.
An investigation by the Azusa Police Department and the California Department of Insurance - Los Angeles Auto Fraud Task Force indicated that the truck had been burned intentionally, Brewer said, and that Perez was responsible.
Police confronted Perez Thursday, police said, and he admitted setting fire to his truck because he could no longer afford the payments.
According to sheriff's booking records, Perez is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail and is due for arraignment Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court.
CONTRIBUTORS
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| Frank Girardot, Metro Editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspapers, brings you behind the yellow tape with takes on true crime, cold cases and more. This is also your forum to discuss crime, its impact on your neighborhood and how we cover it. Have any questions or tips? You can leave a comment here or e-mail Frank. |
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Brian Day is the crime reporter for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper group. E-mail Brian. |
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