Warrant out for Washington Man Who Filed False Claim for Scuba Gear

Santiago G. Rodriguez, of Bothell, Washington, was added to Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s most wanted list after being charged with insurance fraud by the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office.

A bench warrant was issued for his arrest after Rodriguez failed to appear at his arraignment to answer to the charge of false claims or proof.

On March 8, 2021, Rodriguez reportedly stated his vehicle had been broken into and that someone had stolen $19,029 worth of scuba diving gear. He reportedly filed a claim with Homesite Insurance, where he had purchased a renter’s insurance policy.

Homesite investigated the claim further and found Rodriguez had reported the same scuba diving gear stolen in a prior claim with AGCS Marine Insurance five months prior and had been paid more than $16,000.

Homesite investigators were reportedly able to match the receipts from each claim, including the same serial numbers for all the items that were allegedly stolen. Homesite denied Rodriguez’s claim based on fraud and misrepresentation and referred it to insurance investigators.

Anyone with information that may lead to his arrest is being urged to contact local law enforcement or contact Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU).