Four individuals were arrested for allegedly orchestrating an insurance scam involving a “bear in a suit” who was said to have damaged the interiors of three luxury cars. The suspects filed false claims, claiming a bear had entered and ruined the interiors of a Rolls Royce, a Mercedes G63 AMG, and a Mercedes E35.
The claims were supported by video footage showing what appeared to be a bear climbing into the front seat of the Rolls Royce and clawing its way through the vehicle. However, investigators from the California Department of Insurance became suspicious, leading them to execute a search warrant at the suspects’ home, where they found a bear costume.
Upon closer examination, experts confirmed that the “bear” in the footage was actually a person wearing a costume. This discovery led to the arrest of four Los Angeles-area residents: Ruben Tamrazian (26), Ararat Chirkinian (39), Vahe Muradkhanyan (32), and Alfiya Zuckerman (39), who collectively received $141,839 in fraudulent insurance payouts.
The investigation, dubbed “Operation Bear Claw,” revealed that the suspects had filed three claims, the first of which involved a 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost. In the video, a fuzzy, nighttime image showed the so-called bear rummaging through the car before exiting through the passenger door. Damage to the vehicle, including claw marks on the leather seats, was documented.
Two additional claims were filed for the damaged Mercedes vehicles, all sharing identical loss dates and addresses. A California Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist confirmed that the creature in the footage was, in fact, a person in a bear suit.
The investigation was assisted by the Glendale Police Department and the California Highway Patrol, with prosecution led by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office. The suspects face charges of insurance fraud and conspiracy.
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