PRESS RELEASE
A dispatched call involving a vehicle disturbance in the early morning hours of June 9 led Sheriff’s Deputies to the location of an apparent chop shop.
Deputies were dispatched to 15495 Conroe Dr., off of Old Conroe-Magnolia Rd. regarding a driver of a vehicle that had run into several other vehicles. When deputies arrived they arrested Andrew Barrick w/m 23yoa. During the on-going investigation deputies found that one of the many Honda cars parked along the driveway had the public vehicle identification number (VIN) missing. A motor and transmission was found to be from a stolen Honda. Auto Theft Task Force Investigators were contacted and responded to the location.
A resident told deputies that he was operating a newly established tuning business. ATTF investigators examined approximately 20 vehicles on site and seized 7 vehicles that were either stolen or had stolen motors and transmissions in them. Investigators also seized 15 motors and transmissions that were taken to the ATTF Office in Conroe for further inspection and identification. All of the tools on location were seized pending court actions. Vehicle component parts found link the stolen vehicles to several thefts of Honda vehicles in the South Montgomery County area and as far away as the State of Washington. A Honda car recently stolen from the South Montgomery County area was found parked on the side of Old Conroe-Magnolia Rd. by the investigators as they were nearing the recovery scene.
After conferring with the District Attorney’s Office, investigators arrested five males charging them with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity-Theft Felony 2. The suspects were taken to the Montgomery County Jail.
The investigation is continuing ATTF Investigators are asking that anyone who has done business with these individuals or SR Tuning to contact the ATTF Office at 936-760-5847.
Arrested Subjects:
Vanornum, Tom Eugene Lopez, Alex Ortiz, Gabriel Warren, Austin Taylor Barrick, Cameron Ryan
w/m 19yoa
Magnolia, Texas
w/m 29yoa
Conroe, Texas
w/m 24yoa
Spring, Texas
w/m 18yoa
Caldwell, Texas
w/m 18yoa
Conroe, Texas
