A Slippery Rock woman was charged with insurance fraud after authorities say she alleged someone stole parts from her car and replaced them with inferior components.

Sarah Jean Payne, 39, was charged Thursday, Jan. 29, by the state attorney general with felony insurance fraud and misdemeanor criminal attempt at theft following an investigation from May to December.

The attorney general’s office said it was alerted by USAA Insurance that Payne had filed a claim May 12 stating someone had allegedly stolen the registration plate, the exhaust system, tires and alternator from her Toyota Corolla while it was parked outside her apartment and replaced them with inferior parts. She claimed the theft occurred overnight while she was asleep and the vehicle was parked outside her apartment.

Police said Payne acquired the vehicle from a family member in January 2024. She told police the thefts began in May 2024 and proceeded throughout the year and she had waited a year to file a claim.

USAA told police Payne initially reported a man named John may have committed the thefts. Then, she changed her story to a man she met at a bar in McKeesport who goes by the alias “Big Beef.”

Police said the woman told USAA she would see Big Beef out of the corner of her eye in her apartment, but he would hide when she would look toward him. She believed the man stole items from her vehicle and residence.

Police said Payne listed in her insurance claim multiple places where she had work done on the car before the parts were stolen. She said she had her exhaust system repaired on two occasions by Clem’s Auto Service in Mercer County, had two front tires installed by Dailey Tire and Auto in Boyers and had two more tires installed by Walmart in Butler. Her alternator was allegedly replaced by a man in Hilliards.

Police visited Clem’s Auto Service and were told the exhaust he repaired twice was the original exhaust for the vehicle and was failing due to age.

When police visited Dailey Tire and Auto, there was no record of Payne ever visiting the business. The man who replaced the alternator also contradicted Payne’s claims.

According to police, they found Payne had all four tires replaced by Flynn’s Tires, and Pry’s Towing and Automotive Services had also done repairs on the vehicle.

Payne eventually reported the thefts from the vehicle and her home to Slippery Rock Borough police. Police said she reported a man named Zinnie Bice also may have committed the thefts.

Police spoke with Payne at her residence Sept. 24 and found the registration plate on her vehicle was the correct plate. She believed it was stolen because she had to pay for a title transfer on two separate occasions, police said.

Police said Payne also agreed it was possible her exhaust was not stolen and could be failing due to age. Payne also told police John, Zinnie Bice or Big Beef could have committed the alleged thefts.

Payne’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Feb. 25 before District Judge Joseph Nash.