Hot-rodder faked insurance claim: DA

A street racing enthusiast crashed his sky-blue McLaren 570, then lied that the flashy British sports car was stolen to try to collect $160,000 in insurance money, Queens prosecutors said Tuesday.

Gaston Castro, 36, who this past summer was arrested after racing his prized speedster through Long Island at more than 130 mph, was busted Monday on insurance fraud, attempted grand larceny and other charges.

Castro filed a police report with the 107th Precinct on Oct. 5, claiming someone stole his 2017 McLaren from the parking spot outside his Flushing home, and filed a car insurance claim two days later, prosecutors allege.

Police found the car in the brush off a road in Nassau County, and let Castro know.

His stolen-car story didn’t hold up under questioning, however. Castro admitted to police that he actually crashed the sports car, and fled the scene, according to a criminal complaint.

“The defendant — caught in his tracks — is now facing prison time for his greed,” Queens Acting District Attorney John Ryan said.

In August, police in Southold, L.I., charged Castro with taking part in a dangerous July 21 street race on Route 48.

Castro and a second driver, Mustafa Nayci, who was racing in a red 2016 Ferrari, outran a police officer in pursuit, then ditched their cars and ran off, according to the Suffolk Times.

Both Castro and Nayci pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment and were sentenced to 280 hours of community service last month, the Suffolk Times reported.

Castro was arraigned Tuesday in Queens Criminal Court and released on his own recognizance.

His lawyer did not immediately return a message seeking comment Tuesday.