Faked hit-and-run crash leads to charges north of Brampton

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. In one incident, police say a staged gunpoint carjacking that led to charges for five suspects from Brampton and Caledon.

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.

When you contact Crime Stoppers you stay anonymous, never have to testify, and could receive a $2,000 reward.