Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced that a 28-year-old Linden man wanted in connection with an insurance fraud case surrendered.
According to authorities, on November 13, 2016, shortly after 1:20 a.m., a Jersey City Police Officer observed a fully-engulfed vehicle fire in the area of Monmouth and 12th streets in Jersey City.
First responders quickly extinguish the vehicle fire and a subsequent investigation was conducted by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Insurance Fraud Unit and the Jersey City Fire Department’s Arson Unit.
Officials says during the investigation, detectives determined that Harvey Nuila, 43, of East Rutherford - owner of the 2013 Audi Sedan - paid Charlie Serrano, 28, of Linden, to set his vehicle on fire so that he could collect insurance proceeds. Nuila then filed false claims with his insurance company for the benefit of those proceeds.
According to authorities, on Feb. 1st, following a lengthy investigation, Nuila surrendered to members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Insurance Fraud Unit at the Hudson County Administration Building on Newark Avenue in Jersey City while accompanied by his attorney. Police arrested him without incident and was charged with committing five or more acts of Insurance Fraud. Nuila made his first appearance on these charges in Central Judicial Processing Court on Feb. 6th.
However it was not until April 24th, that Serrano surrendered to members of the Insurance Fraud Unit at the Hudson County Administration Building while accompanied by his attorney. Police arrested him without incident and charged with Arson for Hire and Conspiracy to Commit Insurance Fraud. Serrano was scheduled to make his first appearance on these charges in Central Judicial Processing Court on May 4, 2018.
Prosecutor Suarez credited members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Insurance Fraud Unit with the investigation and the Jersey City Fire Department’s Arson Unit for their assistance in the investigation.