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South Strabane Twp. police charge woman with insurance fraud

2 min read

A South Strabane Township woman was charged Wednesday by township police with insurance fraud and false reports to police involving an alleged false theft report almost a year ago.

Maryanne MacFarlane, 42, of 1660 Pierce Ave., was charged by Detective Michael Schidlmeier with making a false or fraudulent insurance claim, intent to defraud insurance, forgery and false reports to police.

On April 27, MacFarlane called police to report items including lawn furniture, a pool heater and pool chemicals were stolen from the garage of her home. She subsequently reported the theft of those items, along with a ladder, to State Farm Insurance. The homeowner’s insurance is in the name of her estranged husband, who does not live at the residence, police said.

Police were contacted by an insurance investigator who said MacFarlane admitted to submitting three fraudulent receipts for replacement cost benefits. When the investigator confronted her, she reportedly repaid the $849.11 she was given by State Farm to replace the ladders, lawn furniture and pool heater. The insurance investigator told police an additional $3,006.73 was paid toward claims and both checks had been made to her husband.

Schidlmeier and Detective Kenneth Torboli went to her home Feb. 19, and she showed them the garage. Inside the garage were older ladders and plastic lawn furniture, police said.

The following week, police said MacFarlane came to the station and admitted the replacement receipts she had given the insurance company was made up. She also reportedly told the detective items she reported stolen to police in 2013 were not stolen and, in fact, some of those items had been seen by police in the garage during their visit the previous week. MacFarlane also allegedly told police she forged her husband’s signature to endorse both insurance checks.

Schidlmeier said MacFarlane told him she was having financial problems.

The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.

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