(Photos - Click on the link at the bottom of this message)
Taskforce for Regional Auto Theft Prevention (T.R.A.P.) detectives from the West Team received information where three stolen classic vehicles were being stored.
On July 24, 2013, detectives acted on that tip and prepared and served a search warrant at a residence on the 4600 block of West M-12, Quartz Hill. There, detectives impounded a total of four vehicles.
Detectives conducted inspections of all the vehicles and concluded three of the following vehicles had the vehicle identification numbers changed. Detectives ultimately identified the below vehicles to be stolen:
1. 1958 Chevrolet Impala convertible, stolen in March 2007 from the Mission Hills area of Los Angeles.
2. 1955 Chevrolet Bel Aire, stolen in May 2011from the Santa Monica area.
3. 1960 Chevrolet Impala, stolen in April 2011 from the Monrovia area.
These classic vehicles had their vehicle identifications changed to avoid detection from any law enforcement officers who possibly would come in contact with them.
When the search warrant was served on July 24, 2013, Suspect Don Faison was not at the location.
On August 7th, 2013, during a follow-up investigation, detectives located and arrested Quartz Hill resident Don Faison at his home and booked him at Van Nuys jail for Felony 10801 C.V.C. Operating a Chop Shop.
The victim who was the original owner of a 1958 Chevrolet Impala which was stolen in March 2007, had no insurance for this vehicle at the time of theft. When the vehicle was located during this operation and returned to him, he found that the suspect(s) had completely restored his vehicle from the frame up. The vehicle had been repainted, new upholstery added, etc. In essence, his vehicle was returned in better condition than before it was stolen. This doesn't occur very often and he is a lucky individual.
The Taskforce for Regional Autotheft Prevention (TRAP) was established in 1993 under the direction of the Countywide Criminal Justice Coordination Committee (CCJCC) with the Sheriff designated as the Regional Coordinator. The task force consists of regional investigative teams from various law enforcement agencies in Los Angeles County. TRAP’s mission is to reduce the incidents of auto theft countywide by coordinating a deterrence, investigation, and prosecutorial program with all criminal justice agencies, and private sector business leaders.
The TRAP West Team is comprised of investigators from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Glendale Police Department, Department of Motor Vehicles, and National Insurance Crime Bureau.
For further information and/or media interview contact:
Sergeant Jess Corral
TRAP West
(818) 830-6977
Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
Forwarded by:
Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau - Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
323-267-4800 '
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Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
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