Car frame from the stolen 1949 Ford Shoebox (L.A. County Sheriff's Department) |
WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. (KTLA) -- A car theft victim helped bust a "chop shop" ring by tracking down stolen parts from his vehicle on Craigslist, authorities said.
It all began when a 1949 Ford Shoebox was stolen from the Woodland Hills-area on May 27, 2011.
Kenny Munyon, the owner of the car, spent five months investigating, and found similar vehicle parts for sale on Craigslist.
The victim posed as an interested buyer and arranged to meet the seller.
After confirming the parts were from his stolen vehicle, Munyon contacted detectives from the L.A. County Sheriff's Department.
Detectives then posed as potential buyers and met the suspect at his home, in the 5300 block of Alhama Drive in Woodland Hills.
They were able to confirm that the parts were from the stolen Ford Shoebox.
They recovered most of the Shoebox parts, including the frame, which had been removed from the car.
Detectives also a Honda CR125 dirt bike motorcycle that was reported stolen from Lost Hills in May 2011.
30-year-old Johann Cass, of Los Angeles, and 34-year-old Mitchell Landau, also of Los Angeles, were arrested on suspicion of operating a chop shop.
They are being held on $25,000 bail each.
It all began when a 1949 Ford Shoebox was stolen from the Woodland Hills-area on May 27, 2011.
Kenny Munyon, the owner of the car, spent five months investigating, and found similar vehicle parts for sale on Craigslist.
The victim posed as an interested buyer and arranged to meet the seller.
After confirming the parts were from his stolen vehicle, Munyon contacted detectives from the L.A. County Sheriff's Department.
Detectives then posed as potential buyers and met the suspect at his home, in the 5300 block of Alhama Drive in Woodland Hills.
They were able to confirm that the parts were from the stolen Ford Shoebox.
They recovered most of the Shoebox parts, including the frame, which had been removed from the car.
Detectives also a Honda CR125 dirt bike motorcycle that was reported stolen from Lost Hills in May 2011.
30-year-old Johann Cass, of Los Angeles, and 34-year-old Mitchell Landau, also of Los Angeles, were arrested on suspicion of operating a chop shop.
They are being held on $25,000 bail each.
