Four Los Angeles area residents have been charged with insurance fraud and conspiracy after receiving $141,839 (£111,619) in insurance money.
Those arrested in what investigators dubbed “Operation Bear Claw” are: Ruben Tamrazian, 26; Ararat Chirkinian, 39; Bahe Muradkanian, 32; and Alfiya Zuckerman, 39.
Investigators said there were a total of three incidents in which suspects filed insurance claims for cars damaged by bears.
The initial allegation came last January, when suspects said a bear entered a 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost, which retails for about $100,000, and damaged the interior.
Blurry nighttime footage shows the bear rummaging back and forth in the car for about 30 to 45 seconds before falling out the open passenger door.
Photos of the damage reveal claw marks on the leather seats and leather lining on one of the doors.
