Suspected Chop Shop Uncovered In Wildomar

A police pursuit that started in Temecula ended with three arrests and the discovery of an alleged chop shop in Wildomar.

The suspected chop shop was discovered Wednesday at a residence in the 31900 Block of Via Del Sol in Wildomar. Arrested at the scene were Garratt Lundy, 25, of Menifee; Larkin York, 33, of Wildomar; and Monique Wheeler, 29, of Wildomar.

Several police agencies were involved in the investigation that began early Wednesday morning after police received a report of a stolen white Ford F-350 from the 30600 block of Del Rey Road in Temecula.

Units from the Temecula Police Department and the Riverside Auto Theft Interdiction Detail took over the investigation, which led them to the stolen truck at the Wildomar residence.

As the investigation ensued, the stolen F-350 was spotted being driven away from the residence. Deputies attempted to stop the driver, who instead fled and initiated a chase on the northbound I-15.

But the chase ended quickly after the truck went off the roadway, over an embankment, and became disabled. The driver fled the scene on foot, but deputies from the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station, who were called to assist, eventually collared the suspect.

Deputies returned back to the Wildomar residence with a search warrant and found approximately $5,000 in pilfered property that had been removed from the stolen truck, along with evidence of a chop shop, according to a police report.

The deputies also located many documents at the residence showing involvement in fraud and identity theft, the report stated.

After an investigation, the three arrests were made at the residence.

Lundy was charged with operating an illegal chop shop, auto theft, felony evading and being under the influence of a controlled substance.

York was charged with operating an illegal chop shop, forgery of the state seal, identity theft and committing a felony while out on bail.

Wheeler was charged with forgery of the state seal and identity theft.