Clayton Ryan Holmes, 45, of Hamlet, North Carolina, has been arrested and charged with insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense, both felonies. According to the North Carolina Department of Insurance, Holmes falsely claimed ownership of a Bobcat Skid Steer worth $157,256 on his Erie Insurance homeowner’s policy. He alleged it was gifted by a deceased individual, who was later found to be alive and denied giving him the machinery.
Holmes committed the fraud on March 25, 2022, but authorities arrested him last Thursday. He was released on a $5,000 unsecured bond and is set to appear in Richmond County District Court on February 13. North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey stated, "Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime," adding, "It hits all of us in the pocket through higher premiums," as reported by the North Carolina Department of Insurance.
On Wednesday, Commissioner Causey announced Holmes' arrest and encouraged North Carolinians to report insurance fraud to help keep premiums manageable. Fraud can be reported anonymously to the N.C. Department of Insurance at 919-807-6840 or toll-free at 888-680-7684, as stated by the North Carolina Department of Insurance.
