Colton Man Faces Insurance Fraud, Perjury Charges From Loma Linda Hit-Run Crash

A Colton man has been charged with felony perjury, felony insurance fraud and misdemeanor hit-and-run driving in connection with a Jan. 29 crash in Loma Linda, the District Attorney's Office announced Friday.

The crash was in the area of San Juan Street and Stewart Street, west of . The day after the hit-and-run, a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputy on patrol in the same area found a vehicle in a nearby alley with front end damage, according to the D.A.

A registration check showed the vehicle had been reported stolen by Christopher P. Aparicio, 25, on Jan. 29, according to the D.A.

The deputy phoned Aparicio and had him come to the alley where his damaged vehicle was located, according to the D.A.

"The deputy was planning to release the vehicle to Aparicio, but while at the scene, he became suspicious of the accident claim," according to a D.A.'s account. "After further questioning, Aparicio admitted to the hit and run, filing a false auto theft report and filing a false insurance claim."

The deputy contacted the Auto Insurance Fraud Unit of the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office and requested assistance.

Aparicio is scheduled to be arraigned July 27. If convicted of all counts, he faces six years and two months in county prison, according to the D.A.

"The importance of prosecuting these types of cases is to seek restitution for the victims," Deputy District Attorney Colleen Goggin, who is assigned to the case, said in prepared remarks.

When people file false claims, insurance companies may pay out money that people are not entitled to, which raises rates for everyone, Goggin said.