FRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) -
Two more Fresno chop shops are out of business.
Fresno police say, thanks to tips from informants, they took down two small chop shops Monday in southeast and east Fresno.
At a house on McKenzie, members of Fresno's Career Criminal Auto Theft team say they arrived just in time to find Raul Bonilla in the middle of chopping up one car.
Later, they found more car parts at a house on Church as well as a sawed off shotgun, shells and a military-style, bullet proof vest hidden in the wall.
"We believe that the reason they have these vests is again they're actively involved in violent crimes," said CCAT team leader, Sgt. Tim Tietjen. "They use these to protect themselves from other bad guys with guns and in violent confrontations with police officers."
Police arrested Bonilla and another man in Monday's sweep.
They also say their efforts are making a difference.
According to police, an average of nine cars a day are stolen in Fresno. Last year at this time, the average was 20 a day.
