‘Chop shop’ discovered in south Modesto | Modesto Bee

The Stanislaus County Auto Theft Taskforce discovered a “chop shop” while searching the south Modesto home of an auto theft suspect.

Officers arrested Rickie Gene Colmenero II, 23, and Claudio Vasquez Barron, 30, on Friday after conducting surveillance on a stolen GMC Yukon on Crater Avenue. They followed it when the two suspects drove it to a gas station on Golden State Boulevard, south of Keyes Road.

After the two were arrested, officers served a search warrant at Colmenero’s home and found four vehicles in various stages of dismantlement. About 100 marijuana plants also were located and seized, as well as shaved keys and stolen license plates.

Both suspects were arrested on suspicion of auto theft and and possession of stolen property.

The investigation into the chop shop continues.