Phoenix Auto Body Shop Busted for Staged Accidents

The owner of a Phoenix auto body shop and another man were arrested Thursday on suspicion of staging car accidents and collecting on fraudulent insurance claims. Guillermo "Willie" Altamirano, 33, who owns Champion Auto Body, was a key member of an organized crime syndicate that allegedly staged crashes to collect at least $200,000 in fraudulent claims, Arizona Department of Insurance investigators said. The group reportedly relied on forged drivers’ licenses from Mexico and Guatemala plus disposable cellphones and prepaid credit cards to purchase auto insurance under fictitious names.