‘Chop shop’ operations discovered

Monday, Nov. 11, 2002 | 9:04 a.m.

Local police are investigating two operations, one in Las Vegas and one in Henderson, that they allege stole vehicles and resold them.

Metro Police said it discovered an active "chop shop" on Wednesday at 3601 Highland Ave., with three stolen vehicles inside. The vehicles, worth $200,000, were returned to their owners.

No arrests were made.

Henderson Police officers went to 745 W. Sunset Road on Friday and discovered stolen vehicles as well as parts.

Investigators found vehicle identification numbers had been switched in an attempt to resell the stolen vehicles.

Henderson officers arrested Manuel Miranda, 38, on charges of possession of a stolen vehicle, three counts of defacing vehicle identification numbers and owning a shop that altered or destroyed illegal vehicle identification numbers, all felonies.

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