LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Six people are facing charges after Louisville police recovered more than $650,000 worth of stolen car parts tied to a multi-state chop shop operation.
According to Louisville Metro Police, officers executed search warrants at four locations across the city over the past several weeks as part of the investigation into the illegal operation, where stolen vehicles were dismantled and the parts sold.
One of the raids happened at White Shark Auto Parts on Mitchell Hill Road in the Fairdale area. Nearby business owner Danielle McCorkle said she heard loud noises during the police operation.
“The SWAT team came out and were shooting rubber bullets at the building,” McCorkle said.
Police said the suspects were running a chop shop network that broke down stolen vehicles and sold the parts for thousands of dollars.
LMPD Chief Paul Humphrey said investigators recovered parts from about 25 vehicles with an estimated value of $650,000.
Search warrants were also served at locations in the 3300 block of Woodland Drive, the 7500 block of Michael Drive and the 2700 block of 7th Street Road.
Authorities said the stolen vehicles came from several states — including Ohio, Texas, New Mexico and Louisiana — and even from Canada. During the investigation, officers also seized nine guns, two of which had been reported stolen.
Six people were arrested in connection with the case:
-
Amanda Guerrero, 35, of Louisville
-
Alexis Goodman, 24, of Florida
-
Andres Gijon-Gonzalez, 27, of Florida
-
Joseph Probus, 50, of Louisville
-
William Hutchens, 33, of Florida
-
Larry Galyon, 38, of Louisville
Police said the suspects face multiple felony charges, including engaging in organized crime and obscuring the identity of a machine.
Guerrero was arrested Feb. 24 during the raid on Michael Drive in Fairdale. She has pleaded not guilty to several charges, including engaging in organized crime, receiving stolen property and trafficking in stolen vehicles or parts.
During a court appearance Wednesday, a judge ordered her felony charges to be presented to a grand jury and kept her bond set at $50,000 cash. Her case is expected to go before a grand jury the week of April 6.
The remaining five suspects are scheduled to have their cases presented to a grand jury the week of March 9.
Police say additional arrests could still be made as the investigation continues.
Leave a Comment