Hiding in plain sight: The illegal industry that props up California's $1.56 billion stolen car economy

"OAKLAND On a recent Friday, a task force of local police officers converged on the 5200 block of International Boulevard, searching through piles of car parts, vehicles, and trailer, seizing guns, blank money orders, and two allegedly stolen motorcycles, according to court records. From the raid, prosecutors charged 55-year-old Doran Lee Williams with being a felon in possession of a firearm, possessing stolen vehicles, and having 100 blank stolen money orders, all part of a six-count felony complaint, court records show."

"Like many suspected chop shops, this allegedly illegal business was hiding in plain sight, and police say it continued to operate even after complaints from residents and city staffers, and warnings from authorities. This police raid was just one of numerous recent investigations targeting the sprawling and sophisticated illegal industries propping up a stolen car economy that was worth an estimated $1.56 billion last year, according to the California Highway Patrol."

"In Contra Costa, an auto theft task force has been investigating a smog business on Lone Tree Way in Antioch that also provides third-party vehicle registration. This came after stolen cars in Hayward, San Jose, Morgan Hill, Milpitas, Sacramento and Mountain View were all found to have been re-registered with fraudulent VINs at the same business. Police eventually sent a"

Police raids and task force investigations uncovered alleged chop shops and fraudulent registration services operating openly in Oakland and Contra Costa. Prosecutors charged a suspect with firearm possession, stolen vehicles, and possession of blank stolen money orders after a raid of an unregistered auto repair business. Authorities report many suspected operations continued despite resident complaints and official warnings. The California Highway Patrol estimated a $1.56 billion stolen car economy, with most stolen cars recovered but only a small share stripped for parts; many stolen vehicles are resold through peer-to-peer marketplaces after VIN switching.

Read at www.mercurynews.com