A staged car crash has resulted in the arrest of six people—including a husband and wife and two brothers—in what Miami-Dade authorities say is the first of many operations targeting insurance fraud in the county.
According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, the scheme was set in motion last November with a staged collision at Krome Avenue and Southwest Eighth Street. Brothers Armando and Elvis Mesa-Lasaga allegedly orchestrated the crash and recruited Enrique and Mary Brioso to pose as victims in the second vehicle.
Investigators say the Mesa-Lasaga brothers intentionally damaged the cars before the collision and then caused additional damage at Armando’s auto repair shop on Southwest 190th Street.
“They all knew each other. They were in partnership with each other,” said Angel Rodriguez, public information officer for the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.
Following the crash, the Briosos were sent to SafeCare Therapy Inc., where they met Rolando Romero and Sergio Fernandez-Alfonso. The couple reportedly visited the clinic only once but signed blank therapy forms that were later used to file a fraudulent insurance claim totaling $37,050.
“These forged blank forms would then be filled out with some sort of a claim,” Rodriguez explained.
The suspicious claim was flagged by the insurance company, which contacted law enforcement. All six suspects were arrested and face multiple charges, including:
Insurance fraud
Grand theft
Additionally, Armando Mesa-Lasaga was charged with operating a chop shop, after investigators found evidence of rebuilt vehicles at his business.
Officials say this case is just the beginning of a broader crackdown on insurance fraud, which contributes to rising premiums and inflated costs for public services.
“This affects everyone,” said Rodriguez. “Fraudulent claims lead to higher insurance rates and financial strain on community resources.”
The investigation is ongoing, and more arrests may follow.