A Cranberry Township man allegedly altered a photo and used it to file a false insurance claim, according to the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General.

Gangdahar Sushri Vemula, 24, was charged Tuesday, July 8, with one felony count each of insurance fraud and criminal attempt at theft following a Jan. 3 incident where police say Vemula claimed an earlier crash happened after purchasing a new insurance policy.

Police said Vemula purchased a Progressive insurance policy for a 2017 Nissan Sentra on Dec. 17. Vemula then claimed the vehicle struck a deer while driving about two weeks later, on Jan. 3, sustaining front-end damage to the vehicle. His insurance claim was received the next day.

Police reviewed the photos submitted with the insurance claim Jan. 7 and saw the damaged Nissan parked between two delivery vehicles. After following up with Vemula’s employer and insurance provider, police contacted him Jan. 9.

Police said they were shown photos of the damaged vehicle he said were taken Jan. 2. When police asked Vemula to hit a button on the photo, it showed the photo was originally taken Dec. 8 and edited Jan. 2. Police said Vemula then admitted the crash occurred Dec. 8 when the photo was taken.

Police also interviewed the owner of an automotive company in Cranberry Township who provided an estimate to repair the vehicle. The owner confirmed the estimate of $2,763.50 was issued Dec. 9.

Vemula did not receive payment from Progressive on the insurance claim.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Aug. 22 before District Judge Kevin Flaherty.