Father and Son from Miami-Dade Accused of Running Chop Shop with $500,000 in Stolen Vehicles

A mechanic employed by the City of Miami, along with his son, both of Cuban descent, are facing charges for allegedly operating a chop shop where authorities discovered stolen cars and significant components valued at nearly $500,000. José Osvaldo Mena Crespo, 55, and his son José Yamil Mena González, 26, were arrested last Wednesday following an investigation that began in April after a Florida Highway Patrol officer noticed "inconsistencies" in several vehicles on the mechanic's property, as detailed in a report by NBC6 South Florida.

The charges against the father and son include grand theft auto, organized scheme to defraud, operating a chop shop, acquiring a title for a stolen vehicle, trafficking in stolen property, and odometer tampering, according to the records cited by the television station. Mena Crespo, who works as a heavy vehicle mechanic for the City of Miami's General Services Administration, ran the family chop shop where police found cars with major components from other stolen vehicles, with a total value exceeding $466,000.

Stolen Vehicles and Components Found

During the search of Mena Crespo's property, authorities recovered a Jeep, a Dodge Durango, a Chrysler 300, and a 1955 Buick, all containing parts from other stolen vehicles. The police report states that the Jeep found in the Cuban's chop shop contained parts from a 2018 Jeep Trackhawk valued at $80,000, stolen from the Hard Rock Casino in September 2024.

The Durango utilized parts from a 2021 Durango Hellcat worth $77,000, stolen from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in May 2024. The Chrysler 300 had components from a Dodge Charger, valued at over $52,000, stolen from a home on Flagler Drive in Miami Springs last November. Meanwhile, the 1955 Buick contained parts from a 2023 Chevrolet Camaro, valued at $73,000 and reported stolen from Dolphin Mall in Sweetwater, last March.

Further Discoveries at Mena González's Residence

At Mena González’s residence, police found an intact Durango Hellcat reported stolen in Hialeah on March 30, which had been sold in January 2024 for over $110,000. Mena González claimed to investigators that he bought the vehicle for a mere $5,000 from an unknown person who came to his house offering to sell it. According to his account, the seller promised to return with the car title but never did.

"Mr. Mena González did not ask the stranger for any identification, nor did he complete a bill of sale or document the transaction or the vehicle seller in any way," states the report cited by NBC6. Investigators found that the horn wires of the Durango Hellcat had been rerouted through the grille to disable the alarm during the theft, and the front passenger window had a drilled glass.

Ongoing Investigation and Legal Proceedings

In the backyard shed of Mena González's property, body panels from several stolen vehicles were discovered, including fenders and bumpers from two Chargers and the Chevrolet Camaro. The investigation also revealed that a 2018 Dodge Challenger previously sold by Mena Crespo contained parts from a 2019 Dodge Challenger, valued at $72,000, stolen from the luxury condominium The Boulevard at 5700 Biscayne Boulevard in Miami, in November 2023.

Furthermore, detailed inspections of the modified vehicles at the chop shop showed significant discrepancies in the mileages compared to when they were purchased and when they were seized. Additionally, police were able to trace Mena González's phone linking him to the thefts of two of the cars. His phone records place him in Hialeah during the theft of the Durango Hellcat and near the Hard Rock Casino when the 2018 Jeep Trackhawk was stolen, authorities stated.

Both defendants appeared in court last Thursday, where a judge granted them release on bail.