Police officer allegedly filed fake crash report

A city police officer is in hot water after, police say, he fled the scene of a traffic accident, then filing a bogus insurance claim for the damages.

Prosecutors said April Shaynick, 42, was driving her 2004 Honda Civic near Van Kirk Street and Summerdale Avenue on Aug. 9 when she ran a stop sign and struck an occupied 2003 Mazda Protege.

The driver of the Mazda had to be taken to a hospital for a knee injury, but Shaynick allegedly drove off without stopping. A pizza delivery driver was able to snap a photo of her license plate.

Prosecutors further claim Shaynick told her insurance company her car was struck while parked outside her home, and submitted a false police report she had written. The insurance company paid her $4,000 for the repairs before discovering the ruse.

Shaynick surrendered to police Wednesday and is scheduled to be arraigned on charges of insurance fraud, theft by deception, tampering with public records, leaving the scene of an accident with injuries and related offenses.

A 14-year veteran assigned to the 1st District, Shaynick has been suspended for 30 days with the intent to dismiss.

The Department’s Internal Affairs Bureau and the District Attorney’s Office handled the investigation.

Other recent police arrests

Former Sgt. Chanta Herder, 42, is accused of driving under the influence after she was involved in a traffic accident Oct. 1. She was a 14-year veteran of the force.

Former Lt. Aisha Perry, and Officer George Suarez are both accused of stealing services from three utility companies. Perry was a 31-year veteran of the department and Suarez was a 25-year veteran.

Former Lt. Jonathan Josey, 40 is accused of punching a woman during festivities for the Puerto Rican Day Parade in September, which was caught on tape and went viral. Josey is charged with simple assault. He has challenged his firing by the department.