Couple Accused of Staging Carjacking as Part of Insurance Fraud Scheme
MADERA, CA — “On 5/23/2025 at 8:00 A.M., Sheriff’s dispatch received a 911 call from a female who was identified as Martha Gutierrez DeRomero (57 of Vallejo CA.). Ms. DeRomero indicated that she had been the victim of a carjacking near the intersection of Avenue 21 and Road 26 in the County of Madera.
Deputies responded to the scene and interviewed DeRomero. Ms. DeRomero told deputies that she was driving her white Chevrolet panel van full of merchandise to sell at a local swap meet. DeRomero stopped her vehicle on the side of the road to adjust a shifting load. Two masked males approached and took DeRomero’s van at knife point. DeRomero told deputies that the van contained approximately $60,000 in merchandise consisting of fitness clothing, waist trainers and supplements.
A description of the suspects and stolen van was provided to surrounding agencies. The van was located by Merced Sheriff’s Office on Sandy Mush Road.
Detectives from the Investigations Division responded to the scene to continue the investigation. Ultimately, after a follow up interview with DeRomero detectives learned that she and her boyfriend Alfredo Ledezma (57 of Madera) had staged the entire incident as part of an insurance fraud scheme. Detectives located and processed the abandoned van and located the “stolen” merchandise concealed in a storage facility in Merced.
DeRomero was booked into the Madera County Jail for felony insurance fraud, conspiracy and filing a false police report. Ledezma will also potentially face charges for insurance fraud and conspiracy.”
