A body shop owner in San Jose, California, is facing serious charges after an undercover investigation revealed he was involved in insurance fraud. Jairon Escobar, 49, who runs Radiator & Body Parts, allegedly inflated repair costs for a damaged vehicle during a sting operation.
The investigation was conducted by the Organized Auto Insurance Fraud Task Force, which includes the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, the California Highway Patrol, and the California Department of Insurance. In May 2024, the task force set out to catch body shops that were encouraging fraudulent claims.
For this operation, investigators used a Toyota Camry as a bait car. The car had only a minor dent above the front wheel fender, but Escobar reportedly advised an undercover officer to claim more than $3,000 in damages to the insurer. He then submitted a repair estimate to Mercury Insurance that included these inflated figures.
Escobar was arraigned on Tuesday on charges of felony attempted insurance fraud. If he is found guilty, he could face jail time. This case highlights ongoing efforts to combat insurance fraud in the auto repair industry, which can drive up costs for everyone.