Photos and video: GPD busts “chop shop” operation

Press release from Gainesville Police Department

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Yesterday, through excellent detective work and an extensive investigation on a stolen vehicle case from the SW 40th Blvd/Archer Road hotel corridor, Gainesville Police Department’s Det Cpl W. Meek was led to a residence in Hawthorne. It was soon discovered that the property was probably being used as a “chop shop” for stolen high-end Dodge/Jeep vehicles.

With the assistance of additional GPD Detectives, ASO Detectives, and the ASO SWAT Team, a search warrant was conducted in the early morning hours on March 30. The 5-acre lot was covered in vehicles and vehicle parts, and as of this time, at least nine vehicles on the property (in various states of disassembly) have been determined to be stolen. The original vehicle thefts occurred throughout Florida, some as long as a year ago.

Detectives from both agencies are still on scene, as well as FDLE and insurance investigators, to further investigate the overwhelming evidence being uncovered.

This excellent work by Det Cpl Meek and cooperation from the Sheriff’s Office has resulted in resident Humberto Toledo Russias h/m 8/27/88 being charged by both the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the Gainesville Police Department for multiple felonies. He is currently at the Alachua County Jail.

Alachua County Sheriff’s Office’s video about this case is here.