SOMERS, NY — Two men were arrested June 24, 2026, following an investigation into a false report of a stolen vehicle that was allegedly made in an attempt to obtain an insurance payout.
State Police received a complaint from Salvatore J. Amato, 81, of Somers, who reported that his 1981 Fiat Spider had been stolen from the ACME Markets parking lot on U.S. Route 6 earlier that morning.
During the investigation, troopers and investigators reviewed license plate reader data and surveillance video from the shopping plaza.
Investigators determined that the vehicle had never entered the parking lot as reported.
When confronted with the evidence, Salvatore Amato admitted that he had fabricated the theft report in an attempt to collect insurance proceeds.
He further admitted that he had arranged for the vehicle to be left in the Bronx and that his brother, Frank Amato, 83, of Long Island, assisted him by transporting him back to Somers.
Salvatore Amato was charged with insurance fraud in the third degree, falsifying business records in the first degree, false written statement, falsely reporting an incident in the third degree and conspiracy in the fifth degree.
Frank Amato was charged with falsifying business records in the first degree, false written statement, falsely reporting an incident in the third degree and conspiracy in the fifth degree.
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 the Town of Somers Justice Court at a later date.
