On November 7, 2012, at about 5:00 p.m., Pima County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a burglary report and in the course of the investigation discovered a chop shop. When officers arrived, the homeowner explained that he had found his house, in the 5500 block of South Spencer Avenue, ransacked and burglarized.
Deputies learned from the victim that a large number of weapons, jewelry, a computer and other items were missing. The victim estimated that items valued just under $29,000 had been taken. Detectives were able to develop intelligence which led them to a residence in the 2300 block of South Calle Hohokam. Investigators had reason to believe that stolen property from the burglary was located there. A search warrant for that address was obtained.
Due to the weapons taken during the burglary, detectives requested assistance from the Pima Regional SWAT Team for the execution of the warrant. During the search of the property, several laptops and other items of evidentiary value were located, as well as four stolen vehicles. The stolen vehicles were in various stages of disassembly.
The owner of the property, identified as Gary Lynn Nixon, age 30, was located and arrested for an unrelated misdemeanor warrant. After being questioned by detectives, Nixon was also charged with four counts of Theft of Means of Transportation and one count of Owning and/or Operating a Chop Shop. He was booked into the Pima County Adult Detention Center.
The investigation continues. Authorities are asking anyone with information concerning this case is asked to call 9-1-1 or 88-CRIME.