“It's a Chopper Shop, Not a Chop Shop”: Chop Shop Investigations

Facing the challenges of identifying, inspecting, and collecting evidence at a chop shop can seem monumental. Understanding how you identify multiple vehicles, component parts, electronic control modules, etc., as well as understanding what evidence to seize helps ensure you are building concrete evidence. We will discuss the necessity of coordinating with other units within your agency, networking with other law enforcement agencies, and even non-law enforcement entities, to support your chop shop investigation. We will explain the necessity of pre-research and building out your “kit” so regardless of whether the culmination of an investigation leads to one, or you just suddenly find yourself in the middle of a chop shop, you are fully prepared.