Eastpointe police uncover chop shop operation

EASTPOINTE — A man stands accused of receiving and concealing stolen vehicles and stripping them of valuable parts after Eastpointe police said a tip led them to a chop shop operation at a home in Warren.

Authorities in Eastpointe originally received information April 8 regarding possible stolen vehicles being stripped at a location in the 24000 block of Valley Avenue, near Stephens Road and Hayes Avenue. Investigators identified two vehicles in the backyard that had been reported stolen out of Jackson County: a gray Ram TRX and an orange Dodge Charger.

They also found two individuals who were allegedly removing parts from the vehicles. The two suspects cooperated with detectives and provided additional information to the Eastpointe Special Investigations Unit, which in turn led to a house in the 11000 block of Packard Avenue in Warren.

Here, the SIU determined that the homeowner — Korey White, 26 — allegedly was stripping stolen vehicles of parts to resell them. Several vehicle shells and numerous parts, including two engines, were found scattered around the yard at the Warren home, according to police.

In the months and weeks that followed, Eastpointe detectives continued their investigation, executing a search warrant July 25 that reportedly recovered a handgun from the house and led to five vehicles being impounded along with two engines.

Among the vehicles was a 2016 Chrysler 300, reported as stolen from Blackman Township. One of the engines belonged to a stolen 2020 Dodge Charger Scat Pack, reported stolen in Dearborn Heights, while the other engine belonged to a 2015 Jeep Cherokee SRT, reported as stolen in Brownstown Township.

White was arrested and arraigned before Magistrate Mark Makoski in 38th District Court on July 26, charged with one count of motor vehicles — operating a chop shop, a 10-year felony; one count of receiving and concealing stolen property valued at $20,000 or more, a 10-year felony; and one count of receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle, a five-year felony. His bond was set at $75,000 cash or surety, with a GPS tether upon release.

White’s attorney, Grace Crivello, did not return a request for comment by press time.

Eastpointe Police Detective Lt. Alexander Holish said that the Eastpointe SIU went to great lengths to fully uncover the criminal operation.

“They (the SIU) spent countless surveillance hours in order to obtain the valid search warrant that led to the discovery of important evidence,” Holish said. “If you’re a thief or engage in any other criminal activity in Eastpointe or the surrounding area, you never know when you’re being watched. Your apprehension is only a matter of time.”

Holish said residents should be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to police.

“If you observe your neighbor constantly taking apart vehicles, working on vehicles during the night or having new vehicles dropped off at their homes, do not hesitate to report this activity to your local police department,” Holish said.

“Currently, chop shops are popping up in every city at an alarming rate,” he added. “However, no amount of money is worth anyone’s freedom. If anyone has the idea to operate one, they need to know that they will be caught and prosecuted.”

The Eastpointe Police Department can be reached by calling (586) 445-5100.