La. State Police Book Lafayette Couple on Insurance Fraud Charges

A Lafayette, La., couple was arrested on charges of felony insurance fraud and theft, state police said.

Shaundaniquea Senegal and her husband, Chase, are accused of intentionally defrauding their insurer when Mrs. Senegal initiated a claim by reporting the rims and tires were stolen off their sport utility vehicle while it was parked at a residence in Youngsville, according to the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud Unit.

Shaundaniquea Senegal reported the alleged crime to police and provided Farm Bureau with a receipt for rims and wheels in support of her claim. Farm Bureau paid the claim, which was in excess of $14,000, investigators said.

However, during an investigation, troopers determined that the theft never occurred as the wheels and rims never existed and the receipt was bogus, officials said.

Shaundaniquea Senegal was arrested Aug. 17, while her husband was picked up Sept. 6, the fraud unit reported. Both were booked into the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center.

If convicted, the Senegals face up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Mrs. Senegal faces additional charges in St. Landry Parish for another alleged insurance fraud scheme in which she falsified wage loss documents to USAgencies, state police said.

The Insurance Fraud Unit is part of a joint task force consisting of the Department of Insurance, the Louisiana State Police and the Attorney General’s Office.