A trailer yard in Miami-Dade County was shut down by authorities after it was uncovered to be operating as an illegal vehicle chop shop, according to reports from the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office. During a routine inspection, detectives caught a worker in the act of dismantling a Chevrolet Corvette reported stolen, revealing what appears to be a larger criminal scheme, as reported by Local 10.
The operation took place on Tuesday at the ASAP Towing & Recovery facility located at 2154 NW 95th Street, in the unincorporated area of West Little River, northern part of the county. The intervention occurred around 11:00 a.m. as part of an inspection authorized under state law.
Uncovering the Alleged Illegal Workshop for Stolen Parts
According to the arrest report, officers found Sergio Cuevas-Peña, 56, a Miami resident, while he was disassembling a Corvette in pristine condition. Upon noticing the police presence, Cuevas-Peña attempted to flee hastily toward a rear exit but was intercepted by a detective before he could escape.
Also present was Frank Christopher Bada, 34, from North Bay Village, identified as the facility's manager, who was there while Cuevas-Peña was dismantling the vehicle. The third individual involved, Idalberto Roberto Valdés, 24, also a Miami resident, was a tow truck driver for the company. Although his statement was omitted from the police report, detectives noted that Valdés carried a Glock 43X, resulting in an additional charge for using a firearm during the commission of a felony. Furthermore, he allegedly presented a possibly fraudulent towing invoice related to the company's operations.
The authorities have yet to confirm the detainees' nationalities.
Suspicious Vehicles and Altered Parts
During the inspection, detectives discovered another vehicle, a Dodge Challenger, with its engine identification tags removed, raising suspicions of a possible underground auto parts business. They also found an engine and transmission with serial numbers physically ground off, a common tactic in stolen vehicle dismantling operations to prevent tracking.
Authorities later confirmed these parts were linked to a robbery reported in North Miami, strengthening the allegations that the location operated as an illegal auto parts trafficking hub.
Charges and Detention Details
The three arrested individuals face multiple charges, including:
- Four counts of possession of a vehicle with altered identification.
- Two counts of auto theft.
- One count of operating, owning, assisting, or instigating a chop shop.
- For Valdés, an additional charge of carrying a firearm during a felony.
Following their arrest, the trio was taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGK), where they remained until Wednesday. By the afternoon of the same day, court records indicated all had posted bail and were released on provisional liberty.
Authorities continue to investigate to ascertain whether more individuals are involved and if the operation is connected to a broader network of stolen vehicle trafficking in South Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions about Miami-Dade Illegal Chop Shop Bust
What led to the discovery of the illegal chop shop in Miami-Dade?
A routine inspection by detectives revealed a worker dismantling a stolen Chevrolet Corvette, which led to uncovering a larger suspected criminal operation.
Who were the individuals arrested in connection with this operation?
The three individuals arrested were Sergio Cuevas-Peña, Frank Christopher Bada, and Idalberto Roberto Valdés, all residents of the Miami area.
What charges do the arrested individuals face?
They face multiple charges, including vehicle identification alteration, auto theft, chop shop operation, and for Valdés, carrying a firearm during a felony.