San Leandro Man Arrested In 'Chop Shop' Operation: Police

SAN LEANDRO, CA — A San Leandro man was arrested Thursday on suspicion of running a "chop shop," police said.

Police say they responded to the man's home in the 700 block of Alice Avenue around 8:19 a.m. after receiving a report that a stolen vehicle was on the property.

Officers at the scene confirmed seeing the vehicle in question on the property and found more that also appeared to have been stolen, according to the San Leandro Police Department.

Officers surveilled the residence until detectives with the Crime Suppression and Property Crimes Unit, along with investigators from the Alameda County Regional Auto Theft Taskforce, arrived at the scene, police said.

Authorities established enough probable cause to secure a warrant for the home, where they recovered seven stolen cars and one stolen trailer, police said.

San Leandro resident Mario Tamez, 47, was taken into custody on suspicion of drug possession, operation of a chop shop, and multiple counts of possession of a stolen vehicle.

A chop shop is a place where stolen vehicles are delivered to be dismantled and sold for parts.

"Because motor vehicle parts tend to lose their identity as stolen property after being severed from the vehicle, and because chop shop operators often dispose of stolen parts locally, rather than in interstate commerce, evidence of interstate distribution of stolen parts is difficult to obtain," according to the United States Attorney's Office.