THE St Catherine police were yesterday alerted to a motor vehicle ‘chop shop’ operation at Point Hill in the parish after KingAlarm security personnel tracked a stolen vehicle to the location.

A source told the Jamaica Observer that the vehicle was stolen from the Kingston residence of the owner about 4:00 am and was driven at high speed to the area where it was discovered.

At approximately 7:30 am the KingAlarm Command Centre was contacted as the vehicle was equipped with a tracking system from the company. The vehicle, a grey Toyota Hiace bus, was subsequently discovered in a heavily wooded area along with two other vehicles — another Toyota Hiace and a truck. It was also discovered that one of the vehicles was reported stolen last week.

“Apparently the vehicle was being scrapped; someone was there because the vehicle was being pulled apart, tools were scattered about, so it is evident that they were there. They had their persons looking out, because it’s deep bush, a mile or two. So once they see the vehicle entering they would have just called to make them know we were there,” one of the officers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the Observer yesterday.

The Observer was also told that the battery, radio and speakers were already removed from the vehicle upon the arrival of the KingAlarm security personnel.

The police described it as a significant find and had a strong message for the culprits.

“We will be relentless in our pursuit now that we know they have started up back this illicit activity in the area. The drive will be more focused on this scheme and you will be caught,” he said.

Wreckers later transported the vehicles to the Guanaboa Vale Police Station in the parish.