2016 house fire leads to arrest for insurance fraud, arson, and theft

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Allen Kerr today released the following statement following the arrest of Kittie Louise Payton, 55, of Little Rock by Criminal Investigation Division investigators on four felony charges stemming from a November 2016 house fire at an unoccupied property she owned:

“I congratulate the work of CID investigators to bring about this arrest on multiple felonies.  The Arkansas Insurance Department is committed to rooting out insurance fraud, especially in cases where there is a danger to the public.”

Payton was arrested the morning of April 5 on charges of Theft of Property (Class A Felony), Arson (Class A Felony), Criminal Attempt to Commit Theft of Property (Class C Felony), and committing a Fraudulent Insurance Act (Class D Felony).  She was later turned over by CID investigators to the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility.

On November 1, 2016, law enforcement and fire personnel responded to the report of a house fire at 3326 Pye Road in Little Rock.  The result of the fire investigation showed that it was intentionally set by use of an accelerant.  Payton allegedly had entered into a rental agreement with another person for the property and submitted an insurance claim to Allstate for fair rental value.

Kerr reminds Arkansans that they can report suspected cases of insurance fraud to the Criminal Investigation Division by calling: 866-660-0888.

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