“Chop Shop” Takedown – GPS Leads to Stolen Vehicles and Multiple Arrests
Photo: example of a chop shop
JURUPA VALLEY – Thanks to a vehicle’s Global Positioning System (GPS), a seemingly-hidden “Chop Shop” loaded with stolen vehicles was revealed. According to Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Javier Morando, this GPS device was a “key component” in the recent vehicle- theft investigation on the 5000 block of Trail Canyon Drive.
Investigating Jurupa Valley Station Deputies’ response to a reported stolen vehicle, on July 5th at 12:25 AM, led them to an area check. “The victim advised that the stolen vehicle’s GPS had placed the vehicle in the general area,” said Sergeant Morando.
Deputies arriving on-scene located not only the reported stolen vehicle, but several additional suspected stolen vehicles, as well. An immediate Search Warrant was issued.
The Search-Warrant service resulted in a hefty takedown. It was quite an assortment of felonious booty – consisting of “three stolen vehicles, one stolen car trailer, firearms, ammunition, over 400 pounds of processed cannabis, approximately one pound of suspected controlled substance, and narcotic sales indicia,” said Sgt. Morando.
Plus, the evidence mounted, as additional vehicle license plates were located and seized. This Chop Shop was thoroughly taken down.
As a result, Javier Beltran (44) of La Puente, Fredy Oropeza (24) of Bell Gardens, Alejandra Deanda Jimenez (27) of Huntington Park, and Starlette Castaneda (40) of Alhambra were arrested for operating a suspected “Chop Shop” along with possession of an unregistered firearm, marijuana cultivation, and Narcotics for sales. All four subjects were carted off and booked into Riverside’s Robert Presley Detention Center.
This type of “Community Policing” is key in the fabric of the partnership-involvement between law enforcement and community members. Sheriff Chad Bianco reminds business owners and residents to report criminal activity directly to law enforcement by calling Sheriff’s Dispatch at (951) 776-1099, or by calling 911 if the matter is an emergency.
