Man arrested on charge of operating auto ‘chop shop’ in Henderson

Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2003 | 9:12 a.m.

Authorities visiting the home of a Henderson resident on parole discovered that her roommate was operating what they described as a vehicle "chop shop" in a nearby shed and arrested the man without incident earlier this month.

Nevada Parole and Probation officers dropped in unannounced at the home of Melissa Kaufield at 1801 Roan St. on Aug. 15.

Officers discovered Kaufield's roommate, Alfredo Espinosa, was "chopping up vehicles," police said.

Parole and Probation officers Robert Latham and Mike Silva searched the shed and discovered car engines removed from vehicles and various other car parts, such as doors and bumpers.

After running license plate numbers and vehicle inspection numbers of several vehicles at the residence, the officers confirmed that the numbers did not match the vehicles.

Henderson Police officers were called and found Espinosa hiding in a closet. He was taken into custody after he told police that he was chopping up vehicles for gang members who were stealing them.

Kaufield was taken to the Parole and Probation Office, where she said she was using heroin and cocaine, officials said. She is currently at a methadone clinic and is scheduled to enter an inpatient drug program, officials said.

The Las Vegas area ranked fifth in the nation among cities for the rate of car theft during 2002, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau and the FBI.

According to the FBI, an estimated $8.2 billion worth of vehicles were stolen in the United States in 2002.