(KRON) — A person was arrested this week for insurance fraud after making a false report to Alameda authorities that they were carjacked, according to police.
Alameda Police Department officers responded at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday to the report of an armed carjacking near Doolittle and Island drives. An individual told authorities that they “were forced off the road by the driver of another vehicle, threatened with a weapon, and their vehicle was stolen by two suspects who fled the scene,” APD said.
A search of the area did not locate any evidence, vehicle or suspects to corroborate the report, according to police.
“APD officers continued their investigation and discovered video evidence that revealed the carjacking report was fabricated,” police said.
The individual who reported the carjacking was arrested for filing a false police report and committing insurance fraud. Police did not identify the suspect.
Alameda police said that in all of 2024, there was one carjacking incident and the vehicle was recovered within two hours.
“Incidents like this, while thankfully rare in Alameda, understandably cause concern within our community,” Alameda Police Chief Nishant Joshi said in a statement. “Our officers acted swiftly and thoroughly to expose the fabrication and ensure the individual responsible is held accountable.”
