FROM STAFF REPORTS

A couple faces felony conspiracy and insurance fraud charges following an Iredell County Sheriff’s Office investigation into a report of a motor vehicle theft.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrests of Anjelu Vito Sajetta, 51, and Crystal Inosente Sajetta, 28, both of Yellowstone Lane, Statesville, in a news release Tuesday.

On April 20, Anjelu and Crystal Sajetta filed a report with the ICSO claiming their vehicle had been stolen from outside of their home, Campbell said. Detective R. Olson, who was assigned this case for further investigation, quickly discovered the vehicle in question had been recovered in New York City after being burned, according to the news release.

With assistance from NYPD and NYFD personnel, Detective Olson learned that a male suspect had parked the stolen vehicle on a street in downtown New York City and lit the vehicle on fire using a gas can and an ignition source, Campbell said.

The incident was captured on video surveillance cameras.

Upon reviewing the camera footage, Detective Olson identified the male suspect as the owner of the vehicle, Anjelu Vito Sajetta, according to the news release.

On April 24, through further investigation, the detective learned that the Sajettas had filed an insurance claim with their automobile insurance company, falsely reporting that the vehicle had been stolen by unknown persons, the sheriff said.

Based on evidence obtained in this investigation, Detective Olson obtained warrants charging Anjelu Vito Sajetta and Crystal Inosente Sajetta with felony insurance fraud, felony conspiracy, and misdemeanor filing a false police report.

On May 22, Anjelu Vito Sajetta and Crystal Inosente Sajetta were both arrested and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where they each received a $1,500 secured bond from Magistrate Callejas on the charges.

Anjelu Vito Sajetta is also facing arson charges in the City of New York as a result of the incident, according to the news release.