El Paso Police arrest 2 men who allegedly torched vehicles in insurance scam
The El Paso Police Auto Theft Task Force has arrested two men in connection with an alleged scheme to falsely report vehicles stolen and then torching the vehicles in different locations.
On May 21, 2014, investigators located and arrested 27-year-old Matthew Hardwick, of the 8500 block of Viscount, and 28-year-old Ryan Mattison, of the 2900 block of Pino Triste.
The vehicles involved were a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, 2011 Chevrolet Malibu, and a 2012 Dodge Ram.
While this was occurring the two men were also filing insurance claims to obtain money from the insurance companies. El Paso Police believe that the motive may have been to alleviate the burden of costly car payments.
El Paso Police Investigators believe that there are more people involved in this insurance scam and suspect that additional arrests may occur.
Hardwick has been charged with:
Arson – Two counts
False Report to Police Officer Insurance Fraud over $20,000.00 and under $100,000.00. Bond totaled: $55,000.00
Mattison has been charged with:
Arson
False Report to Police Officer Insurance Fraud over $20,000.00 Bond totaled: $45,000.00
Also a part of Operation Smoke Em was Texas DPS, El Paso Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, FBI, ATF, the El Paso County District Attorney’s Office, and the NICB.
