2 Arrested in ‘Chop Shop’ Case : Crime: During a raid, police uncover five cars and find dismantled, buried remains of up to 40 others.
Police discovered an unusual treasure trove Monday--a car mine.
The skeletal remains of as many as 40 cars may have been buried in a five-acre lot where thieves operated a “chop shop,” dismantling stolen autos to resell parts, police said.
Five cars were unearthed at 11700 Pierce St. Monday by officers digging in the rain with shovels, said Detective Bob Graybill of the Los Angeles Police Department, head of the Community Efforts to Combat Auto Theft (CECAT) investigation.
“We have no idea how many cars are buried but I’m sure there are a lot more,” Graybill said.
Two men were arrested.
David Hansen, 39, who lives on the property, was arrested on suspicion of receiving stolen property, Graybill said. Officers suspect he had operated the chop shop for at least a year, Graybill said.
The lot was discovered by police early Monday after Matthew L. Moor, 28, of Sylmar allegedly attempted a carjacking in the area. The attempt failed and the victim notified police. Moor “was identified, arrested and confessed to the robbery and told of the chop shop nearby,” said Detective Mike Lewin.
Hansen was being held in lieu of $27,000 bail at the Van Nuys station. Moor was being held in lieu of $75,000 bail at Devonshire station.
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