Pick-N-Pull Salvage Yard Turns Into Crime Scene In American Canyon

NAPA VALLEY, CA — Two men suspected of stealing auto parts from a salvage yard were arrested in American Canyon, authorities said.

Police said the two men on Wednesday were working together inside a Pick-N-Pull, throwing a car part over a fence, before fleeing in a pickup truck, police said.

The officer made a U-turn to contact the vehicle but briefly lost sight of it. A short time later, the officer located the truck parked at the end of a lot near a vacant industrial building.

Both occupants had exited the truck and were walking away when the officer arrived. The officer detained the men after catching up to them.

Police identified the suspects as Daniel Gerhart, 49, and Roderick Alexander, 62, both of Vallejo.

During the investigation, officers found a stolen axle and rotor from Pick-N-Pull inside the truck, along with suspected drug paraphernalia.

Gerhart and Alexander were arrested on suspicion of petty theft, conspiracy to commit a crime, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Authorities booked both men into the Napa County Department of Corrections.