Crime & Safety
Car Stolen From CSULB Found in Alleged Chop Shop
Suspects were arrested after police discovered parts of cars stolen from Long Beach State and another university, police said.
A car stolen from Cal State Long Beach and another stolen from Cal State Fullerton were recovered in what authorities allege was a "chop shop," a place where stolen cars are chopped into parts for resale and to mask their origin.
Four men were arrested in connection with the alleged chop shop in South Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept. said.
Members of the Taskforce for Regional Autotheft Prevention raided a location in the 300 block of West 51st Street, near Broadway, last Wednesday, according to Lt. Dominic Valencia, a task force member.
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Detectives watched as the men allegedly dismantled a 2001 Acura Integra in the back yard. The Acura had been stolen from Cal State Long Beach earlier in the day, and the owner was unaware his car had been stolen.
When taskforce members moved in, two of the men fled into the residence and were later located inside. Arrested were Rashad Criss of Los Angeles, Joshua Gonzalez, 29, of Los Angeles, Bryan Agustin, 27, of Norwalk and Richard Lopez, 22, of Stanton.
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--City News Service contributed to this story.
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