Crime & Safety
Los Gatos Man Arraigned On San Jose Chop Shop Charges
A Santa Clara police officer - and Los Gatos resident - was arraigned Monday on charges related to operating a chop shop out of San Jose.
SAN JOSE - A Santa Clara police officer was arraigned Monday on charges related to operating a chop shop out of San Jose.
Tyson Sheridan Green, 41, appeared out of custody at the Hall of Justice in San Jose, where he was arraigned on a count of owning or operating a chop shop and two felony counts of possession of stolen property, Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Michael Vidmar said after Monday's hearing.
Green allegedly stole multiple car parts, including high-end engines from multiple Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vehicles, and running a chop shop out of a San Jose garage, Vidmar said.
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The 41-year-old man allegedly stole four Camaro engines worth $15,000 each and 12 car computers, according to prosecutors.
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Green stood in a dark-colored suit next to defense attorney Sam Polverino in court Monday and was scheduled to return to court on June 1 for a plea hearing.
Investigators learned about the operation through a man who saw a Craigslist listing for a Chevrolet Camaro engine and contacted Green, prosecutors said. The prospective buyer could tell the engine was stolen and based on personal knowledge suspected the parts were stolen, according to prosecutors.
The officer faces more than five years in prison if convicted, prosecutors said.
"We entrust police officers to protect and assist our community and when we find them on the wrong side of the law it's, for very obvious reasons, incredibly frustrating and disappointing," Vidmar said.
Polverino is working on reviewing the case and called on the public to keep an open mind.
"These are allegations and Officer Green is a 14-year veteran, someone who's done a lot of good work and has represented this community in a very positive way," Polverino said.
According to Santa Clara Police Chief Michael Sellers, "(Green) was put on paid administrative leave when we learned he was under criminal investigation. This is not a true reflection of the hard-working men and women of this department that serve and protect our community," Sellers said.
-Bay City News, image via ShutterStock