Seven arrested after officers in Oldham uncovered suspected ‘chop shop’
Seven individuals were arrested in Oldham after police uncovered a suspected 'chop shop' where stolen vehicles were being disassembled for parts. Two stolen Ford Fiestas were recovered, and the suspects remain in custody. Authorities urge vigilance and preventive measures for vehicle owners.
Seven Arrested After Police Discover Suspected ‘Chop Shop’ in Oldham
Seven people were arrested and two stolen vehicles recovered after police responded to a tip about suspicious activity in an Oldham neighborhood Sunday afternoon.
Officers rushed to Newport Street around 3:47 pm following a resident’s report of suspicious behavior around parked vehicles. Inside a detached garage, they discovered two Ford Fiesta cars and multiple registration plates from other stolen Fiestas reported missing from the area and beyond.
Four men aged 60, 45, 39 and 32, along with three women aged 43, 33 and 27, were arrested on suspicion of motor vehicle theft. All remain in police custody for questioning.
“We suspect this garage was being used to illegally disassemble and ‘chop up’ vehicles for parts, later selling them for profit,” said Chief Inspector Ian Partington of Oldham’s Neighborhood team. “A location that is undoubtedly being used for criminality has been uncovered and two vehicles will hopefully be making their way back to their rightful owners.”
Crime scene investigators have been deployed to gather evidence for specialist vehicle examiners. Police urge Ford Fiesta and Ford Transit van owners to install steering locks or wheel clamps and remove valuables from their vehicles, as these models have seen increased thefts.
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