Somers man, brother charged after allegedly faking car theft for insurance claim

SOMERS, N.Y. - Two men were arrested by New York State Police after investigators determined that the reported theft of a classic car from a Somers shopping center had been fabricated in an alleged attempt to collect insurance money.

According to State Police, Salvatore J. Amato, 81, of Somers, reported on June 24 that his 1981 Fiat Spider had been stolen earlier that morning from the ACME Markets parking lot on U.S. Route 6.

Troopers and investigators reviewed license plate reader data and surveillance video from the shopping plaza during the investigation. Police said the evidence showed the vehicle had never entered the parking lot as reported.

According to police, when confronted with the evidence, Amato admitted that he had fabricated the theft report in an attempt to obtain insurance proceeds. Investigators said he also admitted arranging for the vehicle to be left in the Bronx and that his brother, Frank Amato, 83, of Long Island, drove him back to Somers.

Salvatore Amato was charged with third-degree insurance fraud, a Class D felony; first-degree falsifying business records, a Class E felony; false written statement, a Class A misdemeanor; falsely reporting an incident in the third degree, a Class A misdemeanor; and fifth-degree conspiracy, a Class B misdemeanor.

Frank Amato was charged with first-degree falsifying business records, a Class E felony; false written statement, a Class A misdemeanor; falsely reporting an incident in the third degree, a Class A misdemeanor; and fifth-degree conspiracy, a Class B misdemeanor.

Following consultation with the Westchester County District Attorney's Office, both men were processed and released on their own recognizance. They are scheduled to appear in Somers Justice Court at a later date.