Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin announced that a Mahoning Township man has been charged with insurance fraud.

Christopher M. Snyder, 28, of 2327 Blakeslee Boulevard West, Mahoning Township, was charged with insurance fraud, theft by deception, alteration or destruction of vehicle identification number and disposition of vehicle or vehicle part with altered vehicle identification number, all felonies of the third degree.He also was charged with false reports to law enforcement authorities and false reports of theft or conversion of vehicle, both misdemeanors.On Feb. 16, Snyder reported to the Upper Macungie Police that his case skid steer was stolen from a work site at 6520 Stonegate Drive, Upper Macungie Township. He also reported the theft to his insurance carrier, Nationwide Insurance, and filed a claim seeking compensation for the loss.The value of the Skid Steer was determined to be $42,125. Nationwide paid the claim, distributing approximately $7,000 directly to Snyder and the remaining amount to Powerco Inc., which held a lien on the equipment.On July 7, Det. Salvatore Aprile of the Lehigh County Auto Theft Task Force spoke with Snyder at his residence about the vehicle. Snyder reiterated his claim that the skid steer had been stolen and its whereabouts unknown.After speaking with Snyder, Det. Aprile and Detective Joseph Conway, also of the Auto Theft Task Force, saw a disabled skid steer approximately a mile from the defendant's home. The detectives investigated the disabled vehicle. As a result of their investigation, it is alleged that it was the one reported stolen by the defendant. Further, it is alleged that Snyder attempted to prevent identification of the skid steer through misrepresentation and concealment.