Suspects in vehicle theft, fire near Carson City accused of conspiring in insurance fraud scheme
Two people were booked on felony charges following an investigation into a report earlier this month of a stolen vehicle and vehicle fire west of Carson City off US-50 near Golf Club Drive.
On Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, at approximately 6:24 a.m. the The Nevada State Police Highway Patrol responded to an abandoned vehicle call in the area of Golf Club Drive and US-50 W beneath the underpass. The call described the vehicle as Audi SUV with unknown registration facing the wrong way in the travel lane and possibly on fire.
During the preliminary scene investigation, the passenger interior area of the vehicle was found burned, and a strong odor of gasoline was emitting from the interior of the vehicle. It was further learned that the vehicle had been reported stolen from the Reno area earlier on Sept. 2, 2022, according to Nevada State Police in a news release.
Additional investigation was done jointly by multiple Nevada State Police divisions, including the Highway Patrol Division, the Investigation Division and the State Fire Marshal.
The investigation produced probable cause that the registered owners of the vehicle, Dale and Stephanie Chapman, allegedly conspired with another individual, to facilitate the theft of the vehicle and set fire to the vehicle to defraud their insurance company, according to the news release.
On Sept. 8, 2022, the following individuals were arrested on the following charges:
Stephanie Chapman and Dale Chapman were charged with conspiracy to commit arson third degree and conspiracy grand larceny of an auto. Both suspects were booked into the Carson City Detention Facility.
The investigation is ongoing, and further charges and arrests are anticipated, Nevada State Police said in the release.