Police follow ‘wanted’ car and uncover suspected ‘chop shop’
OFFICERS ALSO FOUND 200 CANNABIS PLANTS WHILE SEARCHING A NEIGHBOURING PROPERTY
POLICE officers tailing a suspected wanted car happened upon an alleged ‘chop shop’ where officers believe cars were allegedly being stripped for parts.
Three vehicles were found to have been allegedly stolen in a unit in the north of Nottinghamshire.
A car thought to have been using stolen number plates was found in Main Street, Clarborough, on Wednesday, July 20, and inside officers discovered a bag full of cash and keys for multiple other vehicles.
Then, another man was seen running into a building the vehicle had pulled up at.
Officers found three vehicles all suspected to have been stolen and using false number plates taken from Manchester, Bedfordshire and South Yorkshire.
They then entered a garage at the back of the property where the chassis of two vehicles were found.
In their search for the driver of the vehicle, and acting on further information, officers began to search a neighbouring house, where a man was found hiding inside alongside roughly 200 cannabis plants.
A 39-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and cannabis cultivation, while a 28-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle.
Both men remain in custody as investigations continue. Detective Sergeant Andy Hall, from the force’s dedicated burglary team, said: “This was a great bit of work from the road crime team in catching a reported stolen vehicle that has led us to a suspected ‘chop shop’ that looks to be part of a much wider operation crossing multiple counties across the UK.
“We know the impact car theft can have on a person, which is why we work with other forces from across the borders to trace vehicles and disrupt people who look to profit from their illegal actions.
“I would urge anyone who thinks they know where stolen cars are being handled, dismantled or suspect a unit is being used for criminal purposes to get in touch. We are still investigating this incident and both suspects remain in custody. We ask anyone with any information to speak to us.”
A chop shop is a place where stolen cars are broken down into parts, which are either added to other cars or sold, often on online marketplace websites. Inspector Hayley Crawford, District Commander for Bassetlaw, said: “This was fantastic work by the officers and shows just how tenacious we can be when we spot something that doesn’t add up.
“Having spotted a wanted car, the road crime team and armed response vehicles refused to give up and followed it all the way to an address in Retford, before finding a garage full of car parts and dismantled and stripped cars that turned out to be stolen from neighbouring counties.
“Not only did we make two arrests but we’ve also disturbed what looks to be a sophisticated cannabis grow and criminal operation. I want to thank all those involved for their hard work and all the effort that has been put into the investigation so far and continuing into today.”
Anyone with any information is asked to call 101, quoting incident number 307 of July 20, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Not only did we make two arrests but we’ve also disturbed what looks to be a sophisticated cannabis grow. Insp Hayley Crawford