The discovery of several stolen vehicles in the alleyway of a home on Tucsonβs northwest side has resulted in the arrest of several people accused of running a chop-shop operation, authorities say.
Arizona Department of Public Safety investigators began surveillance on the home in early October and located a 2012 Nissan 370z, a 2015 Dodge Challenger and a 2019 Dodge Charger Scat Pack that had all been reported stolen. Chop-shops sell stolen vehicles and parts.
Surveillance revealed that the three vehicles, along with others located at the residence, were associated with a car club involved in illegal street takeovers in Tucson, the state DPS said.
Detectives were also able to identify several people allegedly involved with the stolen vehicles.
On Oct. 19, the stolen Dodge Charger was recovered from a home in Marana by investigators with the Arizona Department of Public Safetyβs Vehicle Theft Task Force. It was in the process of being parted out, the agency said.
Two men β Jiovany Arellano, 21, and Cesar Duran, 31 β fled from the property on foot when detectives arrived. Both were arrested nearby and arrested on suspicion of theft of means of transportation, third-degree burglary and operating a chop-shop.
The following Monday, Oct. 21, detectives executed a search warrant at the Tucson home where the three stolen vehicles were initially located.
Investigators recovered both the stolen Nissan 370z and the Dodge Challenger and also located a stolen 2006 Cadillac CTS in the yard, they said.
Two men β Brandon Ortiz-Gonzales, 19, and Brian Ortiz-Gonzales, 22 β were arrested and booked on suspicion of theft of means of transportation, third-degree burglary and operating a chop shop. Camron Patterson, 21, also was arrested on suspicion of theft of means of transportation and third-degree burglary, the state DPS said.
In total, detectives arrested five people, recovered four stolen vehicles and seized an additional nine vehicles as evidence, the release said.
This investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Vehicle Theft Task Force at vttf@azdps.gov.
