A male suspect who just arrived back to the U.S. from Ecuador is facing a slew of charges in connection with an apparent car ramming incident that prosecutors believe was a dangerous act of insurance fraud, according to reports.
Brooklyn resident Maikel Martinez, 28, was reportedly arrested on Thursday after returning to New York City on a flight from South America.
Martinez is accused of participating in an October 16 incident caught on camera that received widespread attention on social media, as InfoWars reported at the time.
Last month, a TikTok user called Ashpia Natasha said she was driving on the Belt Parkway when she fell victim to a complex operation involving multiple conspirators and two vehicles.
Footage captured by cameras mounted on Natasha’s SUV showed the driver of a Honda Civic cut her off in the fast lane before slamming on the brakes and then reversing into her.
— Washingtons ghost (@hartgoat) October 18, 2024
In the ensuing chaos, prosecutors believe the driver and a passenger switched positions before four people climbed out of the Honda, feigning injuries and taking photos of Natasha’s SUV as she sat in apparent shock and confusion.
One of the male passengers, who may have been driving at the time of the collision, then stealthily climbed into a Kia SUV that whisked him away from the scene.
Martinez told Natasha that his wife had been driving at the time of the crash, claiming she did not speak English, and thus could not converse about what transpired.
Martinez is the first suspect captured, but at least three more are still on the loose.
Court records indicate he was charged with staging a motor vehicle accident, reckless endangerment, insurance fraud, conspiracy, and criminal mischief.
Martinez plead not guilty to all five charges.
“He was released on his own recognizance because the charges are not bail-eligible – but Criminal Court Judge Jerry Iannece ordered that he surrender his passport,” the New York Post reports.
“The Honda is registered to a woman, who filed a claim with the Allstate Insurance company following the staged smash-up, according to a criminal complaint.”
Martinez is due back in court on January 7, 2025.
An investigation is ongoing.
InfoWars has been documenting the surge of crime across the United States, including carjackings, ‘street takeovers,’ smash-and-grab loot mobs, home invasions, and physical attacks on innocent victims.
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