watsonville chop shop grant street
Gustavo Chavez, 28, was arrested for allegedly running a chop shop at a residence on Grant Street. — Courtesy of CHP - Santa Cruz

WATSONVILLE—A Watsonville man was arrested early Monday morning for allegedly running a chop shop at a residence on Grant Street, California Highway Patrol officer Sam Courtney said.

Gustavo Chavez, 28, was charged with vehicle theft, running a motor vehicle chop shop and a probation violation. He was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail, jail records showed.

According to Courtney, Watsonville Police officers responded to an address on Grant Street over the past weekend when they saw evidence of a chop shop. WPD alerted the Santa Cruz County Auto Theft Task Force, which worked with WPD and CHP to conduct a probation search of a known suspect at the residence. 

Investigators found several cars that were being dismantled, and identified two stolen Hondas, Courtney said.

Previous article7-Eleven owners donate 150 Thanksgiving turkeys to community
Next articleNew health office boosts county homeless mission
General assignment reporter, covering nearly every beat. I specialize in feature stories, but equally skilled in hard and spot news. Pajaronian/Good Times/Press Banner reporter honored by CSBA. https://pajaronian.com/r-p-reporter-honored-by-csba/

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here