Crime & Safety
New Haven Man Charged with Operating a Chop Shop
A stolen car investigation leads to the discovery of a "chop shop" where stolen car parts are processed, according to police.
A car stolen in New Haven led to the arrest of a New Haven man Sunday after police found he was allegedly operating a "chop shop."
On Oct. 15 of last year Officer Stephen Baris of the Hamden Police Department started investigating the case of a car stolen in New Haven that was thought to have ended up in Hamden, according to Hamden Police spokesman Capt. Ronald Smith.
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The investigation led to the execution of a search and seizure warrant at 222 Morse St. in Hamden, Smith said. Baris, accompanied by several other officers, found the stolen car, as well as car parts from several other vehicles that were stolen in the area, Smith said.
An arrest warrant application, which was subsequently approved by the court, was submitted for Shawn Fernandez, 29, of 110 Welton St., New Haven, Smith said. On Sunday, Fernandez turned himself into police and was charged with third-degree larceny, first-degree criminal mischief, mutilated engine number and operating a chop shop.
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Fernandez was released on a written promise to appear in Meriden Superior Court on Jan. 24.
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