Four men are facing charges in connection with what police believe was a staged crash in Miami.
Dairon Palacios, 18, of West Palm Beach; John Michael Acosta, 21, of Miami; Adriano Prada, 19, of Miami; and Dimas Tomayo, 30, of Hialeah, were arrested on charges of insurance fraud-staged accident, organized scheme to defraud, and providing false information to law enforcement, according to records.
Miami Police responded to the crash Wednesday night at Northwest 8th Avenue and Northwest 70th Street, and a detective who studied security footage suspected it was staged, according to arrest records.
According to sources, the footage shows two automobiles colliding before one driver gets into another nearby vehicle and flees.
According to sources, the footage also showed Tomayo driving his vehicle, which contradicted what had been previously reported.
Tomayo claimed he was approached by an unknown person who promised him $1,500 and vehicle repairs in exchange for his cooperation in the staged incident, according to police.
According to reports, Tomayo stated he communicated over WhatsApp and was given the contact information for a tow truck driver who would transport his car to a body shop for repair.
Palacios originally claimed to authorities he had no idea what was going on, but subsequently informed investigators he was aware of the impending disaster and would be paid $400 for his involvement, according to reports.
Prada told detectives in Spanish that he didn’t know anyone involved and that he “was taken as a fool in exchange for $600,” according to reports.
“It was determined that the defendant and co-defendants organized and knowingly participated in a pre-planned and intentional motor vehicle crash to create documentation of a traffic accident,” the reports said. “The purpose of the crash was to submit a motor vehicle tort claim and ultimately seek personal injury protection (PIP) benefits through their motor vehicle insurance.”
All four accused were booked into jail early Thursday.
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