Police Raid Chop Shop While Suspects Were Taking Apart Muscle Cars and Hemis | Carscoops

      Two bystanders were also present at the scene, unaware they were about to purchase stolen items.

      8 hours ago

      by Stephen Rivers

      Officers dismantled a chop shop while two suspects were caught in the act of breaking down stolen vehicles.

      The suspects had vehicles and parts scattered across five different storage units in the same vicinity.

      Police recovered three cars and five distinct engine assemblies, along with additional parts.

      Chop shops can quickly reduce someone's treasured vehicle to mere scraps. They operate swiftly and often at unexpected hours. However, the suspects in this case did not anticipate police arriving early on a Monday morning. When the officers showed up, their operation came to an end. They are now compiling an extensive list of every car and part discovered.

      The bust occurred on June 30 at the Public Storage facility located at 10024 S Harlem Ave in Bridgeview, Illinois. Officers responded to a report from an individual who observed dismantled cars on the premises. Indeed, upon arrival, they found two individuals in the act of disassembling muscle cars. Additionally, unsuspecting bystanders were present, unknowingly on the verge of purchasing stolen car parts.

      One vehicle appears to be a V8 Chevrolet Camaro, and the other is a Dodge Challenger, so dismantled that its original form is difficult to ascertain. Other photos from the scene displayed various components from additional Challengers, indicating that this was not the crew's first attempt.

      “This is an ongoing investigation,” stated Police Chief Ricardo Mancha. “Bridgeview Police responded to a report of suspicious activity at the Public Storage facility. Upon arrival, we encountered several individuals who were taken into custody.”

      Along with the three stolen cars, officers discovered several engines, including several supercharged HEMI V8s and at least one Chevrolet small-block V8. In addition to the cars and engines, police found transmissions, body panels, numerous interior panels, dashboards, and a variety of other automotive parts spread across five storage units at the site.

      “The police officers and investigators have done an outstanding job,” Mancha told Patch. “However, without the individual who reported it, we may not have uncovered this operation. So, a big thank you to them.” Here’s to a commendable effort that will hopefully reunite some owners with their beloved vehicles, whether intact or in pieces, needing some assembly.

      Photo Bridgeview Police Department