Motorcycle Chop Shop Uncovered Thanks to LoJack & Los Angeles Sheriff’s Office

  • July 31, 2012

On July 26th, 2012 the concerned owner of a 2007 Yamaha YZF-R6 motorcycle contacted the LAPD North Hollywood Division to report that his prized Yamaha had been stolen. LAPD verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers, which automatically activated the LoJack transponder concealed in the vehicle.

Within an hour of activation, deputies from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Walnut station had picked up the silent LoJack signal from the motorcycle in the area of the 60 Freeway and Fullerton Rd.  After obtaining a description of the motorcycle, deputies tracked the signal to 18400 block of Mescal St.

Deputies began searching the area when they saw the open door of a garage and observed numerous motorcycles along with a black Yamaha.  A female resident in the home was contacted and gave consent for deputies to search the property. It was determined that the black motorcycle was the stolen Yamaha in question.  While searching the garage, deputies observed five motorcycle engines as well as numerous parts from various motorcycles, including a salvaged motorcycle from Arizona.

Deputies determined the garage was a chop shop and notified the Taskforce for Regional Auto Theft Prevention (TRAP) for further investigation.  All the motorcycles were taken as evidence as well as the engines, several of which were identified as stolen by the LAPD. The value of the recovered Yamaha is estimated at $13,000 and at least $26,000 in stolen engines and parts has been identified. The investigation is ongoing.

NOTE: Portions of this story were obtained from Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office.