Seven men arrested after police discover Birmingham chop shop

Police arrested seven men and seized lots of vehicle parts in a ‘chop shop’ raid on Tuesday (5 July).

Officers moved in at the yard off Moseley Road, Sparkbrook, as part of an intelligence-led operation into the site. Inside they found a Land Rover Discovery stolen during a key-less theft in Coventry two days earlier, plus a Range Rover Evoque that enquiries revealed was stolen back in 2020 in Greater Manchester.

Several body shells, engines, gearboxes and other parts were seized for assessment by the specialist vehicle examiner. Police also searched a van parked near the site they suspected was being used by the unit and inside found a BMW 5 Series which was taken in a key-less theft in Oldbury on 23 June.

In total seven men were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the chop shop. The men, aged 22, 25, 27, 34, 40, 42 and 50 were arrested on suspicion of car theft and handling stolen goods. They were questioned and then released on bail while police examine the car parts seized and gather evidence.

What has West Midlands Police said?

Birmingham Police Inspector Simon Graham, said: “This was the culmination of many weeks planning and intelligence gathering; we suspect this facility is very active in the storing and dismantling of stolen vehicles.

“Our early investigations have shown several of the vehicles at the site are stolen and we’re confident many of the car parts will also be linked to stolen cars.

“We’re carrying out enquiries with vehicle manufacturers to understand exactly where the array of body shells, engines and other parts have originated.

“Chop shops like these provide a market for car thieves. They take in stolen cars, strip them down try to mask their identities…and often within just a few hours of them being taken.

“That’s why it’s important to shut them down – and we need people’s help to provide information on garages or units they believe could be used as chop shops.”

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