OFF BEAT: Father, son receive bed as payment in insurance fraud scheme

A Connecticut father and son received an $899 bed as payment for agreeing to set a woman’s vehicle on fire for the insurance money.

Robert Grem and his son, Christopher Grem, were arrested last week in an insurance fraud investigation on multiple charges, including accessory to insurance fraud and first-degree criminal mischief, according to news reports.

Ewa Rybitwa, owner of the “stolen” 2006 Ford Explorer, in March was arrested and charged with insurance fraud and for falsely reporting that her car was stolen, according to reports.

Her boyfriend, Kyle Buracchi, reportedly was charged as an accessory to insurance fraud and accessory to second-degree larceny.

According to reports, the father and son duo agreed to steal and set fire to Ms. Rybitwa’s vehicle in January, on which she still owed $21,600. The pair reportedly was paid with an $899 Sleep Number bed.

The two hired Anthony Stevenson for $350 “to burn the vehicle for insurance purposes,” according to reports. Mr. Stevenson, who after his arrest described to police the men who hired him, decided to keep the vehicle instead of burning it because he wasn’t paid enough and didn’t want arson charges against him.

Messrs. Grem, Ms. Rybitwa and Mr. Buracchi are scheduled for arraignment at the Superior Court in Middletown, Conn., on Tuesday.

From the looks of it, it seems they won’t be having a good night’s sleep anytime soon.