- published: 07 Sep 2014
- views: 138452
In motor vehicle theft, a chop shop is a location or business which disassembles stolen automobiles for the purpose of selling them as parts. The term originated in the practice of building a car from two halves, welded together.
Stolen cars are sold in foreign countries for several reasons. In underdeveloped countries, there are often fewer rules and less enforcement of laws pertaining to plates and title paperwork, so the car is less likely to be noticed. Criminals are also hopeful that there is little incentive on the part of the victim to search in other countries, as even if the car is found, recovery may cost more (in detective, legal, and transportation fees) than the car is actually worth. This is especially true if the stolen car is of low value.
The latest models of cars often have sophisticated anti-theft devices, requiring sophisticated measures to defeat them. For the car thief, the difficulty in bypassing these security features may be nearly impossible or too time consuming. Most cars equipped with these systems are either stolen while the keys are still in the ignition – mostly from owner negligence at a gas station – or towed away by "sneaker" tow trucks. Advanced car theft "rings" have the knowledge and equipment needed to bypass this security. For instance, on cars equipped with RF transmitters inside of the key, the RF transmitter ID must match the security module and the engine computer. So, not only does the physical key cut have to match, the RF transmitter has to match as well. To get around this, some "rings" establish relationships with car dealers and get car keys cut by VIN directly from the dealer themselves. Other methods are to try multiple pre-cut keys, and to use code scanners for RF based systems. There may be many hidden places on the car where the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is stamped. The chop shop will likely be more familiar with these devices.
He's got the cops, they're knocking down his door
He left the murder weapon lying on the floor
The sister's finally gone, now he's the only son
It was a bloody day in Bremerton
One stop, chop shop, somebody call the cops [x2]
In a studio apartment, his axe wouldn't stop
So many pieces everywhere he had to mop
She should have paid him back last week for all the meth
That still small voice told him "axe her to death"
One stop, chop shop, somebody call the cops [x2]
I hope they put this guy away, until the end of time
He must be messed up in the head, to committed this sick crime
His confession to the police, it painted such a gruesome scene
The apartment was more red, than they have ever seen
It's so sad to see that chalky outline
B town murders happen all the time
One stop, chop shop, somebody call the cops [x2]