Men Caught On Video Conspiring To Commit Insurance Fraud: DA

ISLIP, NY - Two men were indicted for allegedly conspiring to fraudulently collect insurance benefits after intentionally driving a car into an Islip canal in July 2016, Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini announced on Friday.

On July 28, 2016, William Keenan, 53, of Patchogue, intentionally drove a 1974 Jensen Interceptor III sports car into a canal on the entrance road to White Cap Fish Market by 116 Main Street, the DA said.

The car was owned by 62-year-old Robert Caires, of West Islip, the DA said.

Witnesses to the crash called 911 and police responded.

Keenan allegedly reported to police that he had veered right to avoid another car, causing him to drive into the canal, the DA said.

Keenan and Caires also reported to police that both men were in the car when the crash occurred, the DA said.

Caires filed an insurance claim for $100,000 on the car to Hagerty Insurance Agency, LLC., on behalf of Essentia Insurance Company, the DA said.

Both men also submitted personal injury claims in connection with the crash to the insurance agency, claiming that they had been injured during the crash, the DA said.

As a result of an investigation by the insurance company into the claims, video surveillance was obtained that shows both men speaking to one another in a parking lot adjacent to the canal before the crash in an alleged conspiracy to stage the incident, the DA said.

The video also shows Keenan drive the Jensen out of the parking lot, without Caires, and later into the canal, Sini said.

In the video, Caires was also seen jumping into the canal after the car entered the water in an alleged attempt to stage his involvement in the crash to obtain the insurance money, according to the DA.

Caires is charged with second degree insurance fraud, third degree falsely reporting an incident, three counts of first degree falsifying business records and fourth degree conspiracy, the DA said.

Keenan is charged with second degree insurance fraud, two counts of third degree falsely reporting an incident, three counts of first degree falsifying business records and fourth degree conspiracy, the DA said.

“These two defendants allegedly conspired to stage a motor vehicle crash to line their pockets with insurance benefits, then lied about the crash to the responding Suffolk County Police officers and falsified insurance claims to complete their scheme,” Sini said. “These individuals thought they could scam the system and get away with it, but they were sadly mistaken.”

Both men were arraigned on the indictment by Suffolk County Acting Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho and were released on their own recognizance.

Caires is due back in court on August 17. Keenan is due back in court on July 31.

If convicted, both men each face a maximum sentence on the top count of five to 15 years in prison.

Image via Shutterstock