Four Wilmington women have been arrested and one woman is still wanted in connection with a series of alleged staged vehicle wrecks that took place in 2015.
Doris Gardner Canty, 61; Jessica Denise Goodman, 39; Extase Shyneice Pollock, 21; and Shaquetta Sade Washington, 20, have each been charged in connection with three separate wrecks. In each, investigators suspect the women provided false statements to law enforcement and insurance companies in an effort to receive insurance benefits, according to Lizz Wall, spokeswoman for the N.C. Department of Insurance.
The alleged staged wrecks occurred on Aug. 4, Oct. 10 and Dec. 4 of last year and involved Repwest, Wilshire and Allstate insurance companies, Wall said.
Goodman, of Dobbs Street in Wilmington, was arrested Feb. 11 in New Hanover County on charges of three counts of attempting to obtain property by false pretense, three counts insurance fraud, two counts of felony conspiracy, one count of misdemeanor conspiracy and one count of misdemeanor child abuse. Goodman was booked at the New Hanover County Jail under a $100,000 bond.
Canty, of Foxwerth Drive in Wilmington, was arrested Feb. 8 in New Hanover County on charges of obtaining property by false pretense and insurance fraud. She was booked at the New Hanover County Jail under a $5,000 bond.
Extase Pollock, of Moore Plaza in Wilmington, was arrested Jan. 29 and faced charges of two counts of felony conspiracy, one count of injury to personal property, one count of insurance fraud and misdemeanor conspiracy. She was booked under a $5,000 bond.
Washington, of Metting Road in Wilmington, was arrested Feb. 16 on charge of one count of aiding and abetting to obtain property by false pretense. She was also booked on a $5,000 bond.
Investigators are still searching for an additional suspect in the case. Teresa Halsey Pollock, 42, of Dobbs Street in Wilmington, is wanted on two counts of felony conspiracy, one count of attempting to obtain property by false pretense, one count of insurance fraud and misdemeanor conspiracy.
“The Department of Insurance employs 20 sworn state law enforcement officers dedicated to investigating and prosecuting claims of insurance and bail bonding fraud,” Wall said. “Since Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin took office in 2009, criminal investigators have made more than 1,500 arrests, resulting in more than 750 criminal convictions with more than 250 cases currently pending court. These efforts have delivered more than $72.1 million in restitution and recoveries for victims.”
An estimated 10 cents of every dollar paid in premiums goes toward the payment of fraudulent claims, she added.
To report suspected fraud, contact the Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840. Callers may remain anonymous. For more information about the N.C. Department of Insurance click here.
