APD Auto Theft Unit Recovers 8 Vehicles in a Chop Shop

APD’s Auto Theft Unit recovered 8 stolen vehicles, 2 stolen trailers and uncovered a possible chop shop operation in Albuquerque’s South Valley.

During late December, APD’s Auto Theft Unit was conducting a proactive operation in southeast Albuquerque when they observed a white Ford F-350 with a busted window being driven by a Hispanic female. Detectives discovered the female driver did not match the description of the registered owner of the F-350. The registered owner was contacted and told detectives his truck had been stolen earlier that day with a white trailer attached. Detectives followed the reported stolen vehicle to 8307 Los Padillas SW, where they observed multiple vehicles in different stages of dismantlement and multiple pieces of vehicles were scattered throughout the property.

Detectives continued to conduct surveillance on the property and later obtained a search warrant for the stolen vehicle, and possible chop shop operation. APD detectives are working to obtain an arrest warrant for the property owner.

In 2022, APD pushed for legislation to address chop shop operations at a time when auto theft and catalytic converter theft was high. The legislation passed in 2022 and officers are now able to charge individuals who own, operate, maintain, control or conduct operations in a chop shop or those who know or should have known it was a chop shop. The chop shop law allows officers to address auto theft from all aspects; from the vehicle being stolen, to possessing the vehicle, to dismantling or altering the vehicle.

Detectives intend to prosecute this case through the Office of Superintendent of Insurance.