Porterville family members suspected in fraud case

A woman who reported on Sept. 22 that her 2002 Lincoln Navigator had been stolen has been arrested on suspicion of fraud.

Hermelinda Gamboa, 56, reported the vehicle stolen, and officers from the Porterville Police Department took the report and began an investigation into the alleged auto theft.

Their investigation reportedly revealed that the Navigator had been involved in a hit-and-run crash in the City of Porterville on Sept. 21.

Evidence collected during the collision led investigators to believe the driver may have been known by Gamboa, police report.

The case was assigned to Detective Chris McGuire who is assigned to the Tulare County Reduce Auto theft Taskforce (T-RATT).

T-RATT investigators prepared and served multiple search warrants in conjunction with their investigation. Investigators also collected evidence reportedly indicating an alleged conspiracy to commit insurance fraud by Gamboa and other members of her family.

Authorities later determined that Gamboa allegedly falsely reported her vehicle stolen and provided false statements to investigators and her insurance company, police report.

Gamboa allegedly conspired with her sons, Mario Gamboa, 30, Rodrigo Gamboa, 28, Lupe Gamboa, 36, Eduardo Gamboa, 20 and her daughter-in-law, Gabriela Gamboa, 29, to commit insurance fraud and provide false statements to investigators, police report.

The case was submitted to the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office, which subsequently obtained arrest warrants for those allegedly involved.

T-RATT Investigators and Porterville police detectives served the arrest warrants for Hermelinda Gamboa, Mario Gamboa, Rodrigo Gambo and Gabriela Gamboa at about 7:15 a.m. Thursday on the 100 block of North Maston Street. All were taken into custody without incident.

Investigators found Eduardo Gamboa on the 1900 block of West Olive Avenue, where he was arrested without incident. Lupe Gamboa turned himself in at the Visalia courthouse.

Hermelinda, Mario, Rodrigo, Eduardo and Gabriela Gamboa were booked into the Tulare County Jail on suspicion of multiple counts of conspiracy, insurance fraud and perjury. They are each being held in lieu of $30,000 bail.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call McGuire, 713-4554.

-- Contact The Recorder newsroom at 784-5000, Ext. 1043.