(This story has been updated with additional information.)
An investigation into a recent vehicle theft led to the discovery of an alleged chop shop in Hesperia, as well as the arrests of three men, law enforcement officials said.
The bust took place shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday at a mechanic shop in the 11200 block of Hesperia Road, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
It stemmed from an ongoing investigation into a stolen car by the Sheriff’s Rural Crimes Task Force, the department said in a written statement.
Deputies tracked the stolen vehicle to the business and obtained a search warrant, officials said.
“A stolen vehicle was located inside the shop in various stages of disassembly,” according to the statement.
“Due to the size of the shop and the number of other vehicles, SANCATT (San Bernardino County Auto Theft Task Force) responded and identified several additional stolen vehicles and vehicle parts,” the statement said. In addition, deputies also found and seized an unserialized “ghost gun.”
Juan Carlos Sanchez Mendoza, 45; Efran Sanchez, 68; and Ricardo Salazar Sanchez, 55, all of Hesperia, were arrested at the scene, county jail records show.
Sanchez Mendoza was booked on suspicion of operating a chop shop, vehicle theft, possession of a stolen vehicle and petty theft with two or more prior theft convictions.
Sanchez was booked on suspicion of vehicle theft, possession of a stolen vehicle and theft by false pretenses, records show.
Salazar was arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft, possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of an unregistered, unserialized firearm.
Building owner stunned by arrests
The building that housed the shop is owned by Duane “Automan Anthony” Cano, who also runs the nationwide auto auction company Auto Liquidators.
Cano said he first leased the building to Sanchez Mendoza about a year ago to use as a mechanic shop and hadn’t visited the property since.
The arrests came as a surprise, he said. “[I] had no idea this was going on.”
“It’s not something that I knew of, was involved in or would encourage,” Cano added. “I don’t have anything to do with a chop shop.”
Cano added that he planned to begin the process of evicting the leasee.
Auction Liquidators’ website can be found online at autoauctionsnearme.com, or via social media at @auction_liquidators on Instagram and TikTok.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station at (760) 552-6800, or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 956-5001. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to the We-Tip hotline at (800) 782-7463.
Sanchez Mendoza and Sanchez were released from custody on bail pending legal proceedings, while Salazar was being held in lieu of $30,000, records show.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Three men arrested in connection with alleged chop shop in Hesperia
Reporting by Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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