1 Arrested in Raid on Chop Shop

Police on Wednesday raided a North Hollywood residence and recovered about $100,000 in stolen vehicles and auto parts, then arrested the man believed responsible for operating the chop shop.

Based on a signal from a “LoJack” anti-theft device, Los Angeles police were led to the home in the 7800 block of Laurel Canyon Boulevard. The signal was “coming from a 1993 red Honda Civic that had been stolen in Van Nuys,” Police Detective Brad Johnson said.

The Honda and a 1994 Acura were discovered stripped in a garage on the property, police said. The yard was littered with a number of vehicles that likely were obtained legitimately through salvage, police said. Those cars, police said, were used for their vehicle identification numbers.

Paperwork seized at the scene led police to Sun Valley in search of Alvaro Santos, 33. Santos was spotted by officers patrolling the area, and after a short chase was apprehended. Police said Santos had a stolen engine in the truck he was driving.

“We believe this chop shop has been operating since February,” Detective Robert Graybill said. “We had reason to believe something was going on, but never had any evidence.” Two other suspects are also being sought.

Graybill said Santos is suspected of dismantling cars at the North Hollywood residence and then reassembling them in Sun Valley.

Santos is being held at Van Nuys Jail in lieu of $40,000 bail and is being charged with two counts of grand theft auto.