New York City Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly and New York State Insurance Superintendent Gregory V. Serio today announced the arrest of Peter Perouza, 32, who is charged with insurance fraud and grand larceny stemming from a fraudulent claim he submitted stating that his vehicle was destroyed in the World Trade Center attacks of September 11, 2001.

Commissioner Kelly said: "This criminal tried to turn a profit on the tragic events of 9/11. While others were helping those who suffered, this individual saw an opportunity to defraud his insurance company by claiming his car was destroyed in the terrorist attacks. His scheme was petty, and his crime reprehensible. I commend everyone who helped find this individual and bring him to justice."

Superintendent Serio said: "Attempting to solve ones own financial problems or unlawfully attempting to profit from the national tragedy is truly horrific. The Department remains committed to working with the NYPD and other law enforcement agencies to arrest and prosecute individuals who take advantage of this tragedy."

Perouza, who lived as 143 Sterling Street in Brooklyn, fraudulently submitted a claim to Met Life Home & Auto Insurance Company that stated his leased vehicle was destroyed in the garage of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Met Life Home & Auto paid the leasing company $28,000 on this claim. Subsequently, Perouza parked the vehicle in a garage and discontinued payments for parking. The garage filed a lien for storage payments. It was then discovered that the car was owned by Met Life Home & Auto.

Members of the NYPD's Fraudulent Accident Investigation Squad, in cooperation with the Insurance Department's Frauds Bureau, the Kings County District Attorney's Office, and Met Life Home & Auto's
Special Investigation Unit arrested Perouza on Monday, July 14. He faces up to 14 years in prison.