NYPD cop who allegedly torched his car for insurance money busted due to phone ... - New York Daily News

A clueless cop who allegedly had his car torched to collect the insurance money sabotaged himself by bringing his cellphone to the crime scene, investigators said Friday. NYPD Officer Madalin Niculae was busted for insurance fraud after investigators figured out he was in Jersey city when his 2010 Acura TL went up in the flames by checking his phone records, they said. Now Niculae, who is based at the 108th Precinct in Queens, has been suspended by the NYPD and hit with a host of charges that could send him to prison for up to seven years. Niculae, 28, was charged earlier in Jersey City with second-degree arson. Just two months ago, Niculae was praised by his superiors after he and his partner busted a motorist who had over five ounces of cocaine, over eight ounces of marijuana and 60 amphetamine pills stashed in a secret compartment. The investigation began after Niculae’s car was found burning on Aug. Niculae told the same story to the NYPD and GEICO insurance, prosecutors said. Confronted with his cellphone records, Niculae admitted dumping his car in Jersey City on Aug. Niculae said he returned the next day with “with another individual” who had offered to burn the car. Source: www.nydailynews.com