Volusia County

Planned “theft” of Harley-Davidson lands Deltona man in jail for insurance fraud

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A Deltona man was arrested after he planned the “theft” of his own motorcycle.

27-year-old Jeffrey Stephens was arrested Friday on fraud charges, deputies said.

According to deputies, Stephens set up the “theft” of his Harley-Davidson in order to get a $30,000 insurance payout.

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Deputies said the theft was initially reported on Sept. 25 at the Fox Head Lounge in Osteen.

Stephens initially told deputies that he parked his black 2020 Harley Davidson Street Glide at the bar and left it overnight while he took an Uber home.

Stephens said that when he went to pick up the bike, it was gone.

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According to deputies, Stephens parked the bike away from the Fox Head’s security cameras but did park in view of a surveillance camera at nearby Skip’s Boots.

After reviewing the footage, detectives said they saw Stephens sitting outside facing the motorcycle when another vehicle pulled up. Deputies said at that point someone exited the car and got on the Harley and rode away.

Deputies said they identified and interviewed the person who got on the bike.

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According to deputies, he admitted that Stephens had planned the incident and met with him the night before, stripping down the Harley of valuables and disconnecting a GPS device.

Phone records show that the two were in constant communication during the time of the alleged theft, deputies said.

Stephens’ insurance company was kept updated on the investigation and denied his claim.

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The motorcycle has not been recovered as of this writing.

Stephens was charged with insurance fraud, tampering with evidence and providing false information to law enforcement.

He was being held in the Volusia County Branch Jail on Friday evening on a $20,500 bond.

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