Several charged in alleged fraud and arson scheme

(7/23/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- A local real estate investor faces multiple felonies for allegedly hiring a man to burn down a home. Businessman Michael Macomber and six others have been arrested and charged in the arson investigation. Authorities say Macomber hired a man to burn down the home to claim a $1.2 million insurance claim.

<!--html1--> According to arson investigators, it was an obvious case of a troubled property burned to collect insurance. But that was only the tip of the iceberg, according to the Harris County Fire Marshall's office. They're telling a tale of alleged mortgage fraud which has implicated a team of suspects.

For more than five months, the fire-gutted shell of a home has stood on Links Crossing in a Spring subdivision. Now it's evidence in an alleged $1 million case of arson.

<p. Dustin Deutsch with the Harris County arson division explained, "The defendants were buying gasoline containers at Wal-Mart -- five-gallon and ten-gallon containers -- and storing them in the house over time."

Investigators say pieces of melted gas containers were recovered from the house. But then the evidence trail became one of paper -- loan documents and appraisals that mysteriously doubled. Seven people were implicated and charged.

• Michael Macomber, the last owner and a real estate businessman, is the only one to turn himself in. He's charged with arson, and insurance and credit fraud.
• Adnan Aqil, who investigators say was paid $10,000 to burn the house, is charged with arson
• Arthur Monroe, who sold the home for twice its value, is charged with engaging in organized criminal activity
• Attorney Mark Ariza and his wife Freda Ariza, who brought the buyer and seller together, are charged with organized criminal activity
• Pamela Anderson, a mortgage broker employee, faces the same charge of organized criminal activity
• Stephen Branz, a private soccer coach, is called a straw buyer by detectives. He's charged with making a false statement to obtain credit.

The house sold for twice what it was worth. Detectives say the proceeds were split. The alleged scheme came tumbling when the taxes came due.

"He was holding on to everything," Deutsch said. "His credit score was getting impacted, payments were getting impacted. The county probably didn't appreciate him bouncing his tax check. So there were a lot of parties looking to take the profit."

Macomber, the last owner of record for the home, has been released on $90,000 bond. The other six suspects remain at large. If they do not turn themselves in, the fire marshall's office says they will be considered fugitives.
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