Description
A Chop Shop is a place where a person knowingly alters, takes apart or stores a stolen vehicle or vehicle parts for the purpose of selling or disposing of it, or hiding its identity. It is not necessary to be the owner for Chop Shop charges to apply, only that you know the vehicle was obtained by theft or fraud. Examples of activities that could warrant a charge of Chop Shop (Operating or Owning) are having in your possession numerous change of vehicle ownership documents or you steal a car and take it to your garage to dismantle it.
What does the prosecutor have to prove?
1. Defendant owned or operated a chop shop.
2. Defendant knowingly and intentionally operated said shop.
Punishment
Felony: 2years/3years/4years
With probation 0-364 days
Misdemeanor: 0-364 days