2008_01_chopshop.jpgYesterday the police announced they arrested 61 people for larceny and insurance fraud after they sold their cars for parts and tried to claim they were stolen. The NYPD actually ran the Queens "chop shop" where customers would typically have a middleman drop off their cars.

The arrestees include an NYPD officer, a school safety officer, a city buildings inspector, an area hospital's security director and a registered sex offender. The Post reports the cop arrested, Shantell McKinnies of the 102nd Precinct, "paid the undercover officer $12,000 to dispose of her car and received $26,000 from her insurance company." She was suspended.

The NYPD had been running the undercover sting for 16 months with the Queens DA's office. And if you're curious about other insurance scams, check out the NY State insurance frauds arrests website. We're impressed with the city employee who claimed he, his wife and sons had nine brain surgeries - seemingly on the same brain - and got $142,000.