Memphis man helps police bust alleged chop shop

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – A Memphis man’s search for a stolen truck led police to uncover a much larger criminal operation.

At a home in the 2100 block of busy East Shelby Drive in Whitehaven, Memphis police found a second shop after a man parked his stolen pickup truck in the front yard.

Detectives with the Auto Theft Task Force arrested Dakota Smith, Darryl Terry, Aubrey Blackwood and Norna Harris.

Authorities said they found evidence of hacking tools and several stolen vehicles in various states of disrepair around the property.

“I mean, I just don’t understand, they’re just making us look bad and we’re not the problem,” said Ira Caldwell, store foreman at Holloway’s 24/7 Tires & Towing.

“We’re really good guys.”

Caldwell introduced Action News 5 to the property owner.

Tyrone Holloway said he had no idea there was any illegal activity and gave us a look inside, where he said at least one of the suspects was squatting.

According to Holloway, he kicked them out of the property and the Memphis Code Enforcement Department condemned it. All that’s left is to clean up their mess.

“We’ve got two trailer loads of trash and debris and we’re hoping the city can work with us to get the trash off the street,” Caldwell said.

All four suspects have been arrested and charged with theft of property. Three of these people have been accused of violating the law on sales.

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