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Here’s how it works: Each claim involves a luxury car that is stolen, and stripped of its audio system, seats, interior door panels, etc. The thefts occur in public places and there are never any witnesses. Next comes insurance policy collection and then the titles will be “washed” so the culprits can get a full value sale or trade.
The washing consists of falsifying documents submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles so that the lienholder does not appear on the newly issued title.
Californians Raymond Robinson of Richmond and Ronnie Johnson of Hercules were arrested in early October. The eight insurance claims that resulted in the arrests were worth $120,000 and the title washing of nine cars resulted in a $163,000 loss.
The scam was called “sophisticated” by law enforcement.
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