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4 Arrested for Operating L.A. Chop Shop: Long Beach & Fullerton cars found chopped - TRAP

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On Wednesday June 20, 2012, at approximately 8:30 pm members from the Taskforce for Regional Autotheft Prevention (T.R.A.P.) conducted a probation compliance search at the 300 block of West 51st Street, Los Angeles.

Detectives observed several males in the back yard dismantling a 2001 Acura Integra. When the detectives made contact with them, two males fled into the residence and were later located hiding inside.

A resident of the location, 30 year-old Suspect Rashad Criss of Los Angeles and three other males; 29 year-old Suspect Joshua Gonzalez of Los Angeles, 27 year-old Suspect Bryan Agustin of Norwalk and 22 year-old Suspect Richard Lopez of Stanton, were arrested for operating a chop shop.

The Acura was stolen from the Cal State Long Beach college campus earlier in the day. The owner was unaware that his vehicle had been stolen until he was contacted by law enforcement.

Detectives also located components belonging to a 2006 Acura RSX stolen from the Cal State Fullerton college campus June 19, 2012.

The victims of the thefts were from Redlands and Huntington Beach.


Lieutenant Dominic Valencia
Taskforce for Regional Autotheft Prevention
626-572-5623
(626) 572-5610
www.lasd.org



The Taskforce for Regional Autotheft Prevention (TRAP) was established in 1993 under the direction of the Countywide Criminal Justice Coordination Committee (CCJCC) with the Sheriff designated as the Regional Coordinator. The task force consists of regional investigative teams from various law enforcement agencies in Los Angeles County. TRAP’s mission is to reduce the incidents of auto theft countywide by coordinating a deterrence, investigation, and prosecutorial program with all criminal justice agencies, and private sector business leaders.

For some other cases investigated by TRAP, see below:


TRAP Detectives arrest two suspects with loaded handguns, drugs during Pacoima Bait Car Operation (Apr. 2012)

http://sheriff.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/lasd/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3hLAwMDd3-nYCN3M19LA0_nEDPvMJMAQ39jA_2CbEdFAFVdgp4!/?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/wps/wcm/connect/lasd+content/lasd+site/home/home+top+stories/two+armed+suspects+arrested+pacoima


Two Sentenced for Classic Cars Chop Shop. Taskforce for Regional Autotheft Prevention – TRAP (Mar. 2012)

http://sheriff.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/lasd/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3hLAwMDd3-nYCN3M19LA0_nEDPvMJMAQ39jA_2CbEdFAFVdgp4!/?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/wps/wcm/connect/lasd+content/lasd+site/home/home+top+stories/trap_two_sentenced_for_travolta_theft


1949 Ford Theft Victim Helps Bust "Chop Shop," Craiglist Vehicle Parts. Two Arrested (May 2011)

http://sheriff.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/lasd/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3hLAwMDd3-nYCN3M19LA0_nEDPvMJMAQ39jA_2CbEdFAFVdgp4!/?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/wps/wcm/connect/lasd+content/lasd+site/home/home+top+stories/chop_shop_discovered_woodland_hills_log_236





Forwarded By:
Deputy Peter Gomez
Captain Mike Parker
Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau - Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
323-267-4800
http://www.lasd.org
SHBNewsroom@lasd.org
www.Nixle.com
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Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department



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