HESPERIA — Authorities nabbed a couple who allegedly ran a chop shop at a home here Monday afternoon.
Alberto Velasquez, 23, and Joselyn Gutierrez, 29, both of Hesperia, were arrested after an investigation led San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department officials to Velasquez’s home in the 11400 block of Shaphaptian Avenue.
The couple was found living in a stolen trailer, and a total of 11 stolen vehicles were found on the property, according to Sheriff’s Cpl. Ruben Perez.
Officials with the San Bernardino County Auto Theft Task Force (SANCATT) handled the investigation. Perez said they first responded to a home in Phelan, where they were able to link Velasquez to the stolen vehicles.
A tweet from SANCATT described the stolen vehicles as “an RV, three trucks and numerous parts from other stolen (vehicles)” found at the home.
Velasquez and Gutierrez were both arrested on suspicion of owning a chop shop, possession of stolen vehicles, and vehicle theft. Velasquez was released on bail Tuesday, Perez said.
Court records show prosecutors charged Velasquez with 11 counts of receiving a stolen vehicle and one count of owning a chop shop. He posted a $75,000 bail bond early Tuesday and isn’t expected to appear in court until Jan. 2018.
Gutierrez remains in custody at the Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center, booking logs show. No further details were available Wednesday.