Chop shop in west Detroit busted for fourth time

A chop shop containing around 100 vehicles was busted for a fourth time on Friday.

The Detroit Police Department’s Commercial Auto Theft Unit arrested five people, including the owner, for a fourth time in four years. The business on West Chicago was advertised using name Big Z's, but police said its official name on the business license was actually Hal Auto Sales.

"We're finding vehicles that are chopped up, cut up, but they're coming back as being registered with valid license plates at different addresses in Detroit and outside of Detroit," said Detroit Police Sgt. Jonathan Parnell.

Twenty vehicles have been confirmed stolen so far, and the unit expects their work to continue on the scene through Sunday.

"The prosecutor's office has reiterated were looking at a continuing criminal enterprise charge, as well as a forfeiture (charge)," Parnell said. "We hope to have this building and the yard closed off."

With auto theft being a major cause for a very high insurance rate in the city, busts like this are good for all Detroiters.