PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Philadelphia police say a month-long investigation led to the recovery of dozens of vehicles and a large cache of stolen Honda parts after officers dismantled what investigators described as a major chop shop operation.
On Wednesday, authorities displayed some of the items recovered during raids conducted Tuesday at three locations connected to the investigation. Police said 31 vehicles were recovered across the sites, which included a chop shop, a residence and a storage facility in Northeast Philadelphia.
Capt. Robert McKeever of the Philadelphia Police Department said investigators found numerous stolen Honda components.
“Honda doors, Honda hatchbacks, some tires and rims,” McKeever said.
Car experts say Hondas have long been a target for thieves because many of their parts can be easily interchanged between vehicles. The thefts can affect owners beyond the loss of a vehicle, including through higher insurance costs.
SEE ALSO | Police uncover alleged chop shop with stolen Hondas in North Philadelphia
Police uncover alleged chop shop with stolen Hondas in North Philly
Richmond Auto Tags owner Andres Adames said, “When it comes time to insure them (Hondas), it’s sticker shock.”
Adames said higher insurance rates for Hondas in Philadelphia are tied in part to the frequency of thefts and the demand for stolen parts.
McKeever described the operation as one of the largest he has seen.
Asked about the value of the parts recovered on Tuesday, McKeever said, “You’re probably looking at a million dollars in Honda parts.”
Investigators believe the operation is connected to a Honda theft ring and may be linked to another group police dismantled in April. McKeever said that the earlier crew “was probably responsible for about $6 million in Honda products.”
According to police, members of the theft ring would steal several vehicles per night before stripping them for parts.
“They would steal three or four cars a night, and then they would strip them in the middle of the night,” McKeever said.
Police believe many of the stolen parts are being shipped to the Dominican Republic. Others, investigators said, are used to rebuild salvage vehicles.
“They’re using the parts that they’re using to steal to rebuild these cars,” McKeever said.
Authorities also warned drivers about increasingly sophisticated vehicle theft methods, including the hacking of key fobs. McKeever encouraged the use of an “OBD port lock,” while Adames also recommended traditional anti-theft devices.
“Buy safety features like the club,” Adames said.
Police announced the arrests of two men they identify as key figures in the alleged theft ring.
Officials said efforts to combat vehicle theft have resulted in about 1,300 fewer cars being stolen compared with the same period last year.
Police are asking anyone who believes their vehicle may be among those recovered in the investigation to contact the department at 215-685-9113.
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