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Los Santos Police Department
Los Santos, San Andreas
Los Santos: Sunday evening at approximately 20:00, 2 Police Detectives were on an undercover deployment monitoring a residential property in Rancho which they believed to contain a so-called "chop-shop"; an operation which takes apart stolen vehicles and sells them for parts. While monitoring the property, the Detectives noticed an individual approaching their own duty vehicle; an unmarked car used for undercover work, which was parked nearby. The Detectives watched from their hiding spot as the individual broke into the car - which at the time did not contain any weapons - and drive it into a garage attached to the house they were deployed to monitor.
The Detectives summoned backup and the property was promptly surrounded, and an individual standing by the property was detained. Approximately 10 minutes later, after making multiple attempts to contact the individual locked inside the garage, the door was breached and Officers made entry, finding one individual inside. Also inside was the partially dismantled stolen vehicle and crudely installed equipment which had been used to take it apart.
The individual surrendered, and Officers disassembled the equipment used to run the illegal chop-shop. However, some of the missing parts of the vehicle were not located. Because the garage was directly attached to a dwelling, with a door between the two, it was considered likely that the individual inside had been able to store many of the parts inside the dwelling before Officers entered the garage. Therefore, a search warrant was filed and approved, and a search of the dwelling was carried out, revealing the stolen goods.
In addition to the missing parts, the search of the dwelling revealed more tools used in the illegal operation, as well as an illegal heavy weapon and 3 pistols. Furthermore, a large quantity of parts from other vehicles were located, including an engine, 6 doors, 4 body panels, 2 full sets of wheels, and various scrap metal pieces, indicating that at least 2 more vehicles had been stolen and parted out prior to the investigation.
Both individuals were arrested and sentenced for their crimes.
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Los Santos, San Andreas
News Release
NR040-24bc
May 27, 2024
Chop-Shop Busted After Felon Steals Undercover Police Car
Los Santos: Sunday evening at approximately 20:00, 2 Police Detectives were on an undercover deployment monitoring a residential property in Rancho which they believed to contain a so-called "chop-shop"; an operation which takes apart stolen vehicles and sells them for parts. While monitoring the property, the Detectives noticed an individual approaching their own duty vehicle; an unmarked car used for undercover work, which was parked nearby. The Detectives watched from their hiding spot as the individual broke into the car - which at the time did not contain any weapons - and drive it into a garage attached to the house they were deployed to monitor.
The individual surrendered, and Officers disassembled the equipment used to run the illegal chop-shop. However, some of the missing parts of the vehicle were not located. Because the garage was directly attached to a dwelling, with a door between the two, it was considered likely that the individual inside had been able to store many of the parts inside the dwelling before Officers entered the garage. Therefore, a search warrant was filed and approved, and a search of the dwelling was carried out, revealing the stolen goods.
In addition to the missing parts, the search of the dwelling revealed more tools used in the illegal operation, as well as an illegal heavy weapon and 3 pistols. Furthermore, a large quantity of parts from other vehicles were located, including an engine, 6 doors, 4 body panels, 2 full sets of wheels, and various scrap metal pieces, indicating that at least 2 more vehicles had been stolen and parted out prior to the investigation.
Both individuals were arrested and sentenced for their crimes.
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69 Sinner Street • Los Santos • San Andreas • 90013
Emergency Hotline: 911 • Public Inquiries • Email: [email protected]
"to protect and to serve"
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69 Sinner Street • Los Santos • San Andreas • 90013
Emergency Hotline: 911 • Public Inquiries • Email: [email protected]
"to protect and to serve"
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