STATE INVESTIGATION: Tried To Change Policy After Crash.
BY: 24/7 CRIME DESK | BocaNewsNow.com
BOYNTON BEACH, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2023 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Investigators with the Florida Department of Financial Services say that Boynton Beach resident Jehu Stewart crashed his car, then tried to change the coverage provided by his Progressive Insurance policy. Stewart is now facing two charges of fraud filed by the State of Florida. He was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on Monday.
According to records reviewed by BOCANEWSNOW.com, Stewart was allegedly in some sort of a crash involving his Jeep Compass back in June of 2022. After the crash, he changed his Progressive policy limits to provide more coverage — then filed the claim for his crash, claiming it happened AFTER the new policy limits went into effect. Progressive investigators caught it and tipped off the State of Florida investigators who summed up the case this way:
On June 06, 2022, or shortly before that date Mr. Stewart’s vehicle was damaged by hitting a curb.
On June 06, 2022, Mr. Stewart’s vehicle, 2017 Jeep Compass (Vin#1C4NJCEA9HD156418) was then taken to CarMax shop located at 2000 Highbridge Road, Boynton Beach, Florida for repairs. It was checked in at 11:02 am by service rep Cameron Frost.
On June 17, 2022, at 12:40 pm changes were made to Mr. Stewart’s policy (redacted) in the form of the comprehensive coverage limits changed from $2000.00 to $1000.00. Also, the collision coverage limits changed from $2000.00 to 1000.00. A rental reimbursement was also added for $50.00 a day for a maximum of 30 days.
On June 21, 2022, Mr. Stewart submitted claim (redacted) via phone with Progressive. During that claim submission Mr. Stewart stated the date of his accident/loss was June 19, 2022. Mr. Stewart was then provided a rental vehicle through Enterprise rental (reservation number YHN12B). Mr. Stewart rental vehicle was a 2021 Toyota Rav4 white in color.
On June 29, 2022, Special Investigation Unit (SIU), Senior Investigator Zackary Stafford was assigned claim (redacted) for the purposes of verifying the facts of the loss. SIU Stafford made contact with Mr. Jehu Stewart via phone and conduct a recorded interview during that interview Mr. Stewart maintained the date of loss was June 19, 2022.
On June 24, 2022, during a record sworn interview conducted by Detective Brown and myself. Mr. Stewart stated he lied about having the correct insurance coverage to obtain a rental vehicle.
Based on the above facts, there is probable cause to believe that on approximately June 21, 2022 in Palm Beach County Florida, the defendant Jehu Stewart violated Florida Statute 817.234 (1)(a) Fraudulent Insurance Claim and 817.034(4)(a) Organized Scheme to Defraud when he, with the intent to injure, defraud, or deceive Progressive Insurance Company and Enterprise Car rental by submitting a material misrepresentation of his claim when he carefully planned then lowered his deductible and added a rental car after he was involved in an incident that resulted in damage to his vehicle. Mr. Stewart then stated his incident occurred on June 19, 2022, instead of the actual date, sometime on or before June 06, 2022, which would be prior to the changes on his policy.
Stewart was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail and later released on $6,000 bond. He lists the 3000 block of Eagle Drive in Delray Beach as his home address.
