A bear that damaged luxury cars in California ended up being a person in a costume, according to “Operation Bear Claw.” Authorities took four residents of Los Angeles into custody in connection to an insurance fraud scheme, a California Department of Insurance press release stated. Officials charged Ruben Tamrazian, 26, Ararat Chirkinian, 39, Vahe Muradkhanyan, 32 and Alfiya Zuckerman, 39, with insurance fraud and conspiracy.
(RELATED: Video Shows Bear Chowing Down On Gumbo Before Lunging At Concession Stand Worker) After an insurance firm suspected fraud, the department launched an investigation into the alleged bear attacks. The owners of a Rolls Royce told their insurance company that a bear in Lake Arrowhead damaged the interior of their car, according to the press release. They even had video footage to support their claim.
In the video, a hairy animal can be seen rummaging around the vehicle — except investigators alleged that it was really an individual in a bear suit. The investigation also led to the discovery of two additional claims with two separate insurance companies for the same date and location, according to the press release. Each claim involved a separate Mercedes vehicle , and the suspects allegedly used a bear costume to damage the cars.
Videos were also provided for these claims. A biologist with the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife reviewed videos from all three incidents and concluded that it was a person in a bear costume, officials sai.