Eleven charged with staging crashes, some involving children

(Little Rock-AP) -- Arkansas authorities say they've broken a ring that allegedly used children to scam insurance companies in<br>auto accidents.<br><br>Police in Fort Smith say they've arrested

Thursday, April 13th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Little Rock-AP) -- Arkansas authorities say they've broken a ring that allegedly used children to scam insurance companies in
auto accidents.

Police in Fort Smith say they've arrested nine people and are looking for two.

Twin brothers and their wives are considered the main players in the gang that had been causing rear-end crashes for more than a
year.

Children as young as seven and nine were trained to act hurt. In some cases, an adult would hit a child after the "accident" so
there would be a reason for the child to be taken to a hospital.

Authorities say the gang was broken when an undercover police officer infiltrated it.

The members face charges that include insurance fraud and theft by deception.