Iowa City Man Charged for Reporting Stolen Car After Son's Police Chase

Karim Musa allegedly lied about car theft to collect insurance payout after his son crashed the vehicle while evading police.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 2:07pm

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A 75-year-old Iowa City man has been charged with insurance fraud and making a false report to law enforcement after he allegedly reported his car as stolen, despite knowing his son had used it to evade police in a 2024 incident where the son crashed the vehicle.

Why it matters

This case highlights how some individuals may attempt to defraud insurance companies and law enforcement by fabricating stories about stolen vehicles, especially when the real circumstances involve criminal activity by family members.

The details

Police say Karim Musa reported his 2024 Volkswagen Jetta as stolen after his son had been arrested for crashing the car while leading a police pursuit in July 2024. Musa allegedly told the police and his insurance company, Progressive, that the keys were left in the ignition and the car was stolen, even though he knew his son had been the one driving it. Musa also reportedly claimed his son was hospitalized and unable to speak, when in fact the son was incarcerated at the time.

  • In July 2024, Musa's son was arrested after crashing Musa's vehicle while leading a police pursuit.
  • On Sunday, March 2, 2026, Musa was booked into the Johnson County Jail just before 8:45 PM.

The players

Karim Musa

A 75-year-old Iowa City resident who has been charged with insurance fraud and making a false report to law enforcement.

Musa's son

The individual who crashed Musa's vehicle while evading police in July 2024, leading Musa to allegedly report the car as stolen.

Progressive Insurance

The insurance company that Musa allegedly lied to in an attempt to collect a $15,000 comprehensive loss settlement.

Iowa City Police Department (ICPD)

The law enforcement agency that Musa allegedly lied to about his car being stolen.

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What’s next

If convicted on both counts of insurance fraud and making a false report, Musa faces a maximum of six years in prison.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of honesty and integrity when dealing with law enforcement and insurance providers, as fabricating stories about criminal activity can lead to serious legal consequences.