One Chevrolet Impala owner got their car back in one piece but a Pontiac GTO owner wasn't so fortunate
In November, Rocky River Police investigated the theft of two classic muscle cars from a parking garage. On December 14th, they found them in what they’re calling a ‘chop shop’ that could lead to the recovery of even more cars. One stolen vehicle owner even got their car back in one piece.
Video from November 26th shows both a Chevrolet Impala and a Pontiac GTO leaving a parking garage. Cleveland Police teamed up with local detectives and investigators and initially just went searching for the Pontiac and the Chevrolet. That investigation led to a series of properties on West 31st Street in Cleveland.
Police found the Impala under a cover but sadly, the GTO was in multiple pieces. The engine was fully wrapped up in shipping material, the rear frame section was cut up, the exterior was in pieces, and the interior was in a similar condition. Police say they found a number of other unidentified vehicles on the property in similar condition.
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“Essentially, it was a full out, fully functional chop shop, one of the garages was altered to have a high roof inside of it to allow for what appeared to be engine hoists and things of that nature,” said Det. Mike Asbury to ABC News 5. “I think it was cool to give him his car back, I feel bad for the owner of the Pontiac, we were a few days too late, but we got one of them back and I was glad we could get it back to him and his family.”
“It’s a 1966 convertible, 396, Super Sport, it’s kind of family thing, everybody’s gotten enjoyment out it,” Impala owner Mark Condrich said. “We’ve had it almost 24 years, when my son was a baby he was in a car seat in the back seat, and he’s been in it ever since and he took it to the prom.”
Police haven’t released detailed information on the chop shop ring as they call it but that might be an indication that they’re closing in on more arrests. What’s clear is that the situation includes multiple suspects, multiple locations, and a lot more cars. Here’s to hoping that more owners end up getting their cars back in one piece.
Photo ABC 5