RALEIGH ó Department of Insurance investigators Friday asked for help from the public in locating Joshua Curtis Coker, 30, of 165 Autumn Glenn Drive, Rockwell.
Coker is wanted on one count each of forgery and uttering and insurance fraud. Investigators have been unable to locate Coker and believe he is hiding in order to avoid arrest. If convicted on these felony charges, Coker could face jail time.
Investigators allege the following: An area family hired Coker to work on a room addition to their home and requested that he provide proof of liability insurance. Because he had no insurance, he scanned in a friend’s policy and altered it. He then presented it as his own.
The Department of Insurance first learned of the alleged fraud when contacted by the family, after Coker allegedly walked out halfway through what was a $90,000 remodel job. The family wished to contact his insurance carrier, and called the Department of Insurance for assistance.
Anyone with information on Coker’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Department of Insurance Investigations Division at 919-807-6840. Callers may remain anonymous.
The department employs 20 law enforcement officers to investigate claims of insurance fraud. In 2007, more than 525 cases were successfully closed with more than $14.5 million in restitution and recoveries, 53 criminal convictions and 109 arrests.