Two Gastonia women accused of staging U-Haul accident

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrests of April Nicole Montero, 37, of 739 N. Rhyne St., Gastonia, and Deborah Jeanea Brown of Gastonia. Both were charged with insurance fraud and conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, all felonies.<_o3a_p>

Special agents with the Department of Insurance's Criminal Investigations Division accuse Montero and Brown of conspiring to stage an accident of a rental U-Haul truck.<_o3a_p>

The offenses occurred on April 10.<_o3a_p>

Brown was arrested on Aug. 13 and had her first appearance in Gaston County District Court the following day. She was not given a bond.<_o3a_p>

Montero was arrested on Sept. 30 and given a $2,500 secured bond. She is scheduled to appear in Gaston County District Court on Oct. 21.<_o3a_p>

Commissioner Causey encourages North Carolinians to help keep insurance premiums low by reporting suspicious fraud.<_o3a_p>

"Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime," Commissioner Causey said. "It hits all of us in the pocket through higher premiums."<_o3a_p>

If you suspect insurance fraud or other white-collar crimes, please report it. You may anonymously report fraud by calling the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840 or toll free from anywhere in North Carolina at 888-680-7684.<_o3a_p>

Information is also available at https://www.ncdoi.gov.<_o3a_p>

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