Police: LoJack Leads Investigators to Vallejo Chop Shop

A stolen car equipped with a tracking device led Solano County investigators to a Vallejo storage unit and the arrest of a man suspected of running a chop shop, sheriff’s office officials said Monday.

Auto theft investigators with the Solano County Sheriff’s Office said they served a warrant at a storage unit in the 100 block of Union Street in Vallejo on Oct. 14 based on a signal from a LoJack - a security system that allows law enforcement to track vehicles when they are stolen.

Investigators found a stolen 2008 Mercedes CLS 550 and a semi-automatic assault pistol with two high-capacity magazines inside the storage unit, along with parts from another stolen vehicle.

PREVIOUSLY:

• 1966 Corvette Stingray Being Dismantled at Chop Shop
• Solano Sheriff’s Office Arrests 2 in Chop-Shop Investigation

Police obtained an arrest warrant for Derrick Phenix, a 26-year-old Vallejo resident, and arrested him on Nov. 6 in Richmond.

Phenix was arrested on suspicion of operating a stolen vehicle dismantling shop, also known as a chop shop, vehicle theft, possession of stolen property and possession of an assault weapon.

Investigators are asking anyone with information on this case to call them at (707) 784-7050, or leave an anonymous tip at (707) 644-STOP (7867).