For Immediate Release

March 18, 2014

 
MELBOURNE, Fla. - The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Brevard Field Office arrested Brian Wical, 38, on charges of arson, false and fraudulent insurance claim, burning to defraud the insurer and false report to a law enforcement authority.  Wical is a sergeant with the Melbourne Police Department.  Agents also arrested James Roy Hartman, 40, with arson and burning to defraud the insurer.  Hartman is a former police officer with Melbourne PD.
 
On Sept. 29, 2013, Wical reported that his personal 2008 Stratas boat was stolen from his home in Palm Bay, Fla.  The boat was valued at $40,000.  Investigators believe Wical and Hartman conspired to burn the boat and after destroying it, Wical collected $45,066.72 on an insurance claim.  FDLE began its investigation in January 2014 after agents received allegations about Wical committing insurance fraud.  Palm Bay Police Department assisted with the investigation. 
 
Wical and Hartman turned themselves into the Brevard County Jail earlier today, and were booked and released on their own recognizance.  This case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, 18th Judicial Circuit. 
 
For Further Information Contact:
Gretl Plessinger, Samantha Andrews or Steve Arthur
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001