Five people from the Sacramento region were arrested on suspicion of staging an elaborate case of insurance fraud.

James Adkins, 44, of Loomis filed a claim in May 2010 with his insurance company and credit union, alleging his 2002 Cadillac Escalade was stolen, according to investigators from the California Department of Insurance.

Adkins also allegedly made statements to the insurer and law enforcement that his Cadillac was taken from his Sacramento home. Investigators allege that Adkins, Justin Highsmith, 33, of Fair Oaks, James Peacock, 38, of Sacramento staged the theft.

Investigators also believe that in April 2010, Kevin Johnson, 37, of Sacramento bought the Cadillac, and after he became aware it was reported stolen in July 2010. tried to hide it from law enforcement. It is alleged in a press release that Johnson bought parts from salvaged vehicles and put them on the Cadillac to mask its true identity.

Johnson and Kori Feinstein, 37, of Sacramento then allegedly went to the Department of Motor Vehicles to register the Cadillac as a 2004 GMC Yukon.

Adkins' claim, which would have paid about $26,000, was ultimately denied by the insurance company.