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DPS: 10 stolen vehicles found in Tolleson chop shop

James Michael Zavala.jpg
Posted at 3:15 PM, Aug 21, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-21 22:46:33-04

TOLLESON, AZ — A Tolleson man was arrested after the Department of Public Safety found ten stolen vehicles on his property.

Investigators with DPS learned of a stolen Mercedes in the backyard of a home near 99th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road.

When they went to serve a search warrant, a man - later identified as 46-year-old James Zavala - ran from the area. He was soon found hiding under a fence.

DPS says they found "10 stolen vehicles in various stages of dismantlement." The vehicles included six trucks, two box trailers, and two cars, including the Mercedes.

The total value of the stolen vehicles is estimated at $150,000, according to court records

Zavala has been charged with conducting a chop shop and ten counts of vehicle theft.