INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ (Warren County) – A Warren County woman is accused of insurance fraud after authorities say she reported that her vehicle was stolen despite knowing the vehicle was in Alaska.
On May 1, Independence Township police responded to 6 Rose Lane for a report of a stolen vehicle. Silvana Saleh, 59, of Independence Township reported to police that her 2012 Chevy pickup truck was stolen from her property, authorities said.
Saleh told police the pickup truck was last seen near her barn on April 29 and when she returned home on May 1 it was gone. Officers entered the vehicle as stolen in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), authorities said.
Then on May 25, police received information that the 2012 Chevy pickup was not stolen but the vehicle was part of a civil dispute between Saleh and a person located in Alaska, authorities said.
A further investigation revealed that Saleh knew the vehicle was in Alaska and not stolen from her property and that she made a false report. She also filed an insurance claim for the vehicle, authorities said.
Saleh was charged with fourth-degree false info to police officials, and third-degree insurance fraud (false claim for payment). She was released pending a court appearance.
