Chop Shop Uncovered in Royal Oaks, Suspect Arrested - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

Royal Oaks, Calif. -- Monterey County Sheriff's Department uncovered a chop stop after arresting a man wanted on an outstanding warrant.

Members of the Multi-Agency Detail for Commercial Auto-Theft say they arrested the suspect, Martin Marroquin at his residence in Royal Oaks Thursday afternoon. According to deputies, while at Marroquin's residence, a license plate attached to a vehicle on his property was matched to a stolen vehicle. They say, there were other vehicles on the property covered with tarps.

A California Highway Patrol investigator was able to serve a search warrant for the property, where they discovered three stolen vehicles and a chop shop operation at the residence. A license plate to a stolen vehicle was also located, but deputies say, that stolen vehicle has not been located. Investigators say a fourth vehicle associated with a previous hit-and-run was also located. Deputies say they removed all four vehicles from the property.

Deputies say Marroquin at first resisted arrest, but was successfully taken into custody. Marroquin was charged with resisting arrest, operating a chop shop and four counts of possessing stolen property. Marroquin was also charged with committing a crime while out on bail from a previous grand theft incident.

Anyone with information about this investigation or any auto-theft related investigation is urged to call MADCAT at 831-755-3704.