A Pennsylvania police officer has been charged with insurance fraud and a slew of other crimes after he, his husband, and an officer from a neighboring town allegedly lied about a hit-and-run crash – even trying to pin the blame on his mother.
Douglas M. Brown, a Bern Township, Pa., police officer, has been charged with insurance fraud, accidents involving damage, false reports of theft, conspiracy and other crimes. Brown’s husband, Timothy Chappelear, and Sinking Spring, Pa., police officer Travis Fitz, were named as unindicted co-conspirators. Both Brown and Fitz have been suspended from their prospective departments.
Authorities said that, last month, Fitz was dispatched to a three-car hit-and-run crash in Sinking Spring. A vehicle had collided with two parked cars – including one with three people inside, according to a report by the
Allentown Morning Call. No-one was injured in the crash, but the offending vehicle was not on the scene.
The vehicle that hit the parked cars was found abandoned a few blocks away, the Morning Call reported. Police said that it was registered to Chappelear.
Fritz, who knew Brown and Chappelear, allegedly went to their home. There, the three allegedly created an alibi for the night, and Chappelear reported the call stolen. Subsequent investigations revealed that Brown had submitted an insurance claim form reporting that his mother had stolen the car, according to the
Morning Call.
However, authorities said that Brown later admitted to the conspiracy, telling detectives that he had been driving the car after drinking. After the crash, he fled on foot and Chappelear picked him up.
Brown surrendered to detectives Thursday, according to the
Morning Call. He has been released on bail pending a preliminary hearing.
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