Authorities have apprehended three people in a large chop shop operation at a northwest Fort Worth residence.
Police in Fort Worth have named it a “criminal enterprise” and one of the biggest chop shop theft operations they have found in a long time.
Gabriel Cedillo, Cynthia Cedillo, his wife, and his brother, Caesar Cedillo, have all been taken into custody. They are said to have engaged in organized criminal activity and sold stolen regulated items, too.
Arrest documents show that the investigation was started after stolen copper wire was discovered in one of the suspect’s vehicles. Authorities then discovered a yard full of stolen materials at the family’s residence, near NW 28th Street. Authorities say that they discovered over a dozen stolen products, including vehicles, motorcycles, ATVs, and even a mechanical bull. The arrest documents also state that Gabriel Cedillo is a part of a Fort Worth gang.
It was reported that Gabriel Cedillo had been on the run for many weeks and had enclosed himself inside the residence prior to surrendering to authorities.
“I went to get it last night to take it home and fix it. It’s nowhere to be found. I’m hurt, I’m very hurt, I want to cry,” stated Fort Worth resident Michelle Mills. Her white Yukon is now missing after it broke down, and she left it at the Cedillo’s residence. She had believed that the pair were her friends, but now she believes that they sold her vehicle.
Mills has now submitted a police report.
Detectives believe that there are more suspects and victims involved and are expecting more charges to be pressed.
