OFF BEAT: Fraud attempt not an ace in the hole

A Michigan man was sentenced to six months in jail for burying his motorcycle and reporting it stolen to collect insurance money.

Chad E. Dejongh of Beaver Township in Bay County, Mich., in 2009 reported his Rocker C Harley-Davidson motorcycle stolen after he left the bike in his yard with a “for sale” sign on it, according to new reports.

Mr. Dejongh claimed to have purchased the bike for $28,000 and spent an additional $10,000 in custom alterations.

The bike reportedly was insured by Cincinnati-based American Family Home Insurance Co., which paid him more than $20,000 in claims for the stolen bike, according to reports.

In the midst of a divorce with his wife in 2011, Laurie Dejongh contacted authorities and alleged that Mr. Dejongh buried the bike on a relative's property.

She also told authorities that Mr. Dejongh threatened her by saying: “If you say anything, I'll bury you alongside the bike,” according to a news report.

A Bay County, Mich., judge on Monday sentenced Mr. Dejongh to six months in jail and ordered him to pay nearly $23,000 in restitution to the insurer and $2,500 to the Bay County sheriff's department, according to reports.

Mr. Dejongh reportedly declined to speak during sentencing.

Sometimes there's just nothing to say.