Fountain Valley : Police Crack Ring in Thefts of Classic Cars
Police said Thursday that they have cracked a ring of thieves who stole classic cars in the Mira Loma area of Riverside County.
Accompanied by California Highway Patrol investigators, Fountain Valley police detectives bearing a warrant searched a home at 6064 Ridgeview in Mira Loma Wednesday and allegedly found 12 stolen cars--primarily 1965 and 1966 Ford Mustangs.
The detectives also discovered numerous stolen car parts, Fountain Valley Police Sgt. Dale Herzog said. He said the property recovered was valued at more than $50,000.
Werner J. Moorenweiser, 41, was arrested at the residence on suspicion of receiving stolen property, police said.
Investigators were tipped to the alleged car theft ring Wednesday by an informant, Herzog said.
Moorenweiser is believed to be the leader of the car theft operation, Sgt. Ron Manda said. Stolen cars were brought to Moorenweiser, who allegedly operated a “chop shop,” Manda said. “He was cutting the cars up, then he would buy wrecked Mustangs, take the identification plates off and put them on the stolen ones to pass them off as good legitimate cars.”
No other suspects are being pursued, Manda added.
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