Ismael Santos, 24, of Thousand Oaks pleaded guilty to one count of felony auto insurance fraud on Aug. 3. He’ll be sentenced on Sept. 2 in Ventura County Superior Court.

Santos faces a maximum sentence of five years in state prison and a $50,000 fine.

According to the district attorney’s office, Santos contacted the T.O. Police Department on March 12 and reported his 2000 Ford Expedition had been stolen from a shopping center parking lot. According to the D.A., Santos told authorities he had parked his vehicle in the lot and discovered it missing when he returned from shopping.

Santos contacted his insurance carrier, Access General, on March 12 and filed a claim for the loss.

Later that day, Access General was notified by the National Insurance Crime Bureau that a 2000 Ford Expedition registered to Ismael Santos was impounded in Tijuana, Mexico, on March 9.

The insurance company referred the claim to the California Department of Insurance for an investigation.

When CDI investigators questioned Santos, he claimed that the vehicle was stolen. However, when investigators told him the vehicle was impounded, Santos admitted that he paid two men $500 to “get rid” of his vehicle because he could no longer afford the monthly payments.