Fraud Investigation Joan Burns of Kensington, PA

Listening to a neighbor isn’t always a good idea.

Joan Burns, 63, of Kensington, was arrested Thursday and charged with insurance fraud for claiming to have been hurt when a falling tree limb landed on her car.

Burns’ story changed several times about what happened on Aug. 6, 2011, while she was attending a child’s birthday party about a mile from her home, according to the criminal complaint.

http://liarcatchers.com/fraud_investigation.html

Although she initially told insurance representatives she wasn’t in her S2006 Suzuki Grand Vitari when the limb came down, she later sought medical treatment, obtained legal representation, and began declaring she sustained injuries in the mishap, the complaint alleges.

After witnesses contradicted her version of events, though, she admitted lying about being in the car, saying she “sought treatment because she listened to someone in the neighborhood who told her she could get money by saying she was hurt in the accident,” according to the complaint.

At one point, she claimed to have needed several thousands of dollars’ worth of medical treatments.

Burns was charged with insurance fraud, criminal attempt to commit insurance fraud, and theft by deception.

After her arraignment in district court in West Reading, she was released on $10,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 11.

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Identity Theft Medical Id Theft Could Put Lives in Danger

BOSTON (CBS) – We’ve all heard of identity theft and having our financial information stolen. But now there’s a new, scary twist on this crime.

Thieves are stealing medical identities, and that’s leaving victims with big bills and the potential for medical catastrophes.

It’s called medical ID theft; someone stealing your identification to get expensive health services.

For an average person whose identity is stolen, their exposure is about $2,000. However, someone’s medical identity that is stolen could have an exposure of about $20,000.

http://liarcatchers.com/identity_theft_investigation.html

“We have 24 counts of fraud on using my social security number for various things, mostly medical identity theft; medical charges,” a college professor named Lisa told WBZ-TV’s Joe Shortsleeve.

Lisa is on the hook for $50,000 for services and drugs obtained in half-dozen states.

“It’s always an emotional burden because you are always on guard and you never know when she is going to strike again,” Lisa said of the woman using her identity.

Christine O’Neill, the FBI’s supervisory agent for health care fraud in Boston told the I-Team that medical ID theft can start with a single stolen wallet, or with organized crime rings breaching huge data systems.

Investigators have seen employees inside health care offices with access to all the patients personal information stealing it, which happened at Health Sports and Rehab physical therapy office in Dorchester.

Court records obtained by the I-Team show Laverne Miskel pled guilty to stealing personal information while interning there.

Owner Andrew Watson said Miskel worked in tandem with a boyfriend on the outside to create bogus checks.

The result can be a financial headache that can take years to untangle. What’s worse is if someone uses your medical information to go get health treatment; that can cause a life or death situation.

If somebody had a different blood type, that information is going to taint your medical history. So in an extreme case, if somebody was in an accident and they go to seek treatment and that blood type has been changed, they could be given a wrong blood type for a transfusion

Making matters worse, Pam Dixon, a nationally recognized expert on medical ID theft, says getting records corrected is next to impossible.

Under the federal privacy law, hospitals are not supposed to give people records that are not about them, and once a thief has used your file, it’s not actually you anymore, even though it is,” Dixon said.

Agent O’Neill believes medical facilities could make one small security change to reap big benefits.

“Ask for somebody’s license and other identifiers when they come to seek treatment,” she suggested.

The FBI says the best way to protect yourself is to shred every health care bill you receive, and to scrutinize those invoices to confirm each charge is for care you receive.

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Arson Investigation Lexington Officer Puts Out Car Fire

A Lexington police officer in the right place at the right time put out a car fire early Friday morning.

http://liarcatchers.com/arson_investigation.html

Police say the officer spotted the burning vehicle near the Creekside South Apartments on Devonport Drive as he was patrolling around 3:15 a.m. He used the fire extinguisher in his car to put out the fire. The officer says there were signs of foul play, including broken windows and a rag stuffed in the gas tank.

Fire investigators will look into the blaze.

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Insurance Fraud Pembroke Man Sentenced

A Pembroke man was sentenced yesterday for pawning his fiancee’s engagement ring and telling his insurance company it fell down the drain, according to the state attorney general’s office.

Randy Ekmerck pleaded guilty to the Class B felony of insurance fraud as part of a negotiated plea arrangement. According to a release from the attorney general’s office, Ekmerck was sentenced to a year in the county jail and a $2,000 fine, both of which will be suspended pending a year of good behavior.

http://liarcatchers.com/insurance_fraud.html

Elmerck took out a policy for the diamond ring with State Farm Insurance on Dec. 13, 2011, and then reported it missing the next month, saying it had fallen into a running kitchen disposal, according to the release. When Elmerck did not cooperate with the company’s investigation the claim was denied, and the state’s insurance fraud unit was notified.

An investigation found Elmerck had pawned the ring, which was recovered at Atlantic Traders in Chichester, the release said.

Ekmerck will also be on probation for one year and be required to receive an evaluation from a licensed alcohol and drug addiction counselor.

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Private Detective Police Continue to Search for Suspect Who Shot Officer

Police continue to search for a suspect after he shot a Covington police officer Friday morning.

Police say they responded to a robbery report on Benton Road around 5:30 a.m., and officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect. The man fled toward a nearby apartment complex.

Officials say a bullet struck a K9 officer in the foot.

http://liarcatchers.com/index.php

Authorities identified the shooter as Pharo Wilson, 44. Police say he fired at least six shots at officers. Wilson was wearing a red or orange hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. Officials say police have arrested him several times in the past on charges including disorderly conduct, public intoxication, drug trafficking, escape and assault.

The injured officer is expected to be OK.

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Private Detective Police Arrest Man in String of North Lexington Robberies

A man police say was wanted for questioning in a robbery was taken into custody in north Lexington Thursday afternoon, and now they say he is the man responsible for a string of robberies in north Lexington in the past several weeks.

Police say they had handcuffed the man, now identified as Aaron Jeral Jackson, 21, near Russell Cave Road and New Circle Road at about 4:30 p.m. when he decided to take off running. Police quickly caught him, but he struggled and had to be subdued.

http://liarcatchers.com/index.php

Later Thursday afternoon, Lexington Police say Jackson is facing 10 criminal charges related to the thefts and robberies listed below.

1. 08/27/2012 – 512 Lin Wal , pizza delivery robbery (Commercial robbery)
2. 08/29/12 – King of Foods, 208 Legends Lane (Commercial robbery)
3. 09/03/2012 – Shell, 435 W. New Circle Road (Commercial robbery)
4. 09/10/2012 – Red Roof Inn, 1980 Haggard Court (Commercial robbery)
5. 09/13/2012 – Red Roof Inn, 1980 Haggard Court (Commercial robbery)
6. 09/15/2012 – Days Inn, 1987 N. Broadway (Commercial robbery)
7. 09/17/2012 – Shell, 435 W. New Circle Road (Commercial robbery)
8. 09/17/2012 – Shell, 176 W. New Circle Road (Commercial robbery)
9. 09/19/2012 – Personal robbery at 1987 N. Broadway
10. 09/21/2012 – Ramada Inn, 2143 N. Broadway (Theft by Unlawful Taking)

Police are continuing to investigate.

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Identity Theft Hoover, Alabama Woman Charged

FAIRFIELD, Alabama – A Hoover woman is expected to be charged today after authorities say she stole a Fairfield woman’s identity and more than $21,000 over the past two years.

Fairfield Police Chief Leon Davis said the theft tally could be higher. “We don’t really know yet how much is still out there,” Davis said today.

The victim, who hasn’t been identified, reported to police in July 2010 and again in March 2012 that her personal information had been unlawfully used to buy services and merchandise. She learned of the predicament when she was contacted for overdue/past-due car and insurance payments totaling $21,673, Davis said.

http://liarcatchers.com/identity_theft_investigation.html

She also was contacted by collection agencies regarding past-due payments to water and cable companies. This year, the victim was contacted by the IRS about taxes owed at places she never worked.

Davis said investigators were able to identify a suspect who was living and working under the victim’s name. She had bought vehicles, been hired, obtained credit cards, leases and bank accounts all under the victim’s identity. She was even able to fraudulently acquire an Alabama State Driver’s license in that name.

Davis said the woman was arrested at her son’s residence. Several agencies worked with Fairfield police in the investigation. She is expected to be formally charged today with identity theft.

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Wrongful Death Adair County, KY Maintenance Worker Shot

The search continues for a gunman who opened fire inside a Casey County business Wednesday night, killing a maintenance worker.

The shooting happened around 10 p.m. at Tarter Gate Company in Dunnville. A spokesperson for the company told LEX 18 that someone entered the business, shot 50-year-old Wendell Pyles, better known as Gleason, then took off.

http://liarcatchers.com/wrongful_death.html

“He’d do anything in the world for you,” said Teddy Pyles, the victim’s son. “I loved him. He was a hero to me.”

Gleason lived in Adair County. His family there says they can’t believe anyone would want to harm the 50-year-old.

“He loved to brawl. He loved to fight. He has tattoos from one end to the other, but he’s a big teddy bear,” Pyles said. “I just wish I could wake up and it be a dream. Or a nightmare.”

Though Gleason is gone, his son says, it will be impossible for anyone to forget the man who meant so much to so many.

“If you lived anywhere around here, you knew my dad. I mean, he’s a character. He’d pass you on his bike, hands up in the air, smiling,” Pyles said. “I’m just trying to be strong. It’s hard. It’s hard, but I just have to do it.”

Gleason has a wife, five children, and three grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Investigators are not commenting on whether they have any suspects or persons of interest in the case, but they do ask if anyone has any information, contact State Police at 1(800) 222-5555.

Tarter Manufacturing released a statement late Wednesday, sending condolences to Pyles’ family. They called this “an isolated incident” and say the company “remains committed to the safety of our employees.”

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Wrongful Death Boone County, KY Man Arrested in Woman’s Murder

A Boone County man has been arrested in the murder of a woman found dead at a Florence business back in May.

Police say on Thursday they arrested David Dooley, 38, of Burlington in the May 29 death of Michelle Mockbee, 42, of Fort Mitchell. Mitchell’s body was found at Thermo Fisher Scientific near the office area of the building. Mockbee had been employed with Thermo Fisher Scientific for 16 years.

http://liarcatchers.com/wrongful_death.html

Police say Dooley provided janitorial services at Fisher Scientific. He is charged with murder and tampering with physical evidence. His bond has been set at $500,000.

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Missing Person Michelle Warner of Houston, TX

Police in Houston are searching for clues to determine why a Houston mother disappeared this weekend after an argument with her ex-boyfriend, who then left town with their 3-year-old son.

Michelle Warner, 31, was last seen Saturday night at her apartment complex in Houston where she lived with her estranged boyfriend, Mark Castellano, and son Cayden. She disappeared the same night Castellano took the boy more than eight hours away to be with relatives.

http://liarcatchers.com/missing_persons_investigations.html

Mark Castellano told authorities that he and Cayden headed to Odessa, Texas, Saturday after the argument and Warner stormed out of their apartment, which he rented, officials said.

Family members and friends say Warner’s cellphone has been off since the weekend and that it is unlike her to disappear from her home without her car as her boyfriend described.

Stefanie Helton, who has been Warner’s best friend for more than 20 years, said the relationship between Warner, who had been working as a paralegal, and Castellano has “never been a good situation.”

She said the two met when the three of them were working together at home health-care service provider Quality Infusion Care.
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Helton said the couple were “barely dating at the time” Warner became pregnant in 2008, and that Castellano had “psychotic spells.”

“He had episodes, he tried suicide …,” she said. “He’s done other crazy things. Nothing extra-violent; he’s push her up against the wall, that type of thing. He’s threatened her.”

Helton said that a family member of Warner’s told her that Castellano said that they’d gotten into argument Saturday, and that he got mad and threw a pet cat against a wall. The family member told Helton that Castellano said Warner then became irate and hit him, before leaving the apartment.

Helton said bleach stains leading from the bedroom, through the living room and out front door were found in the apartment, although Officer Danny Do of the Houston Police Department said that could not be verified.

When police visited the apartment, Do said, they did notice that Warner’s computer’s central processing unit was missing.

Officer Do said Castellano told police that he had taken the CPU of the computer so he could get some information from it.

Do said Castellano has been cooperative with police, and that they spoke with him this morning. “This is still a missing-person case; we don’t have any other evidence at this time,” Do said.

He added that the Houston Missing Persons Department has spoken with the Homicide Department about the case.

Eric Moore, the shop manager at Sugar Land PC in Houston where Castellano worked, said that as of last week, he was no longer employed there.

Texas EquuSearch, an organization dedicated to searching for missing people, has joined in the hunt for Warner.

Warner is 5-foot-6, weighs around 125 pounds and has blue eyes and dark-brown hair. She has a dolphin tattoo on the backside of her shoulder and small butterfly tattoo on one foot.

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