Tracking device in stolen truck leads to chop shop bust

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man is facing a long list of charges after a car theft led police to an alleged chop shop in southeast Memphis.

According to reports officers responded just after 11 a.m. on August 30 to a car theft at the Kroger at 6660 Poplar. The victim told police his 2022 Ford F-150 was stolen from the parking lot, and it had a tracker inside.

Two hours later, police tracked the truck to Harrell’s Auto-Performance and Transport LLC at 4631 East Holmes Road. The truck was found in one of the shop bays.

On Tuesday, the Memphis Police Auto Theft Task Force followed up on the case.

MPD says the man who rented the bay where the stolen truck was found was taken into custody. He was identified as 27-year-old Gabriel Harrell.

Officers also found a 2015 Chevrolet Corvette on the lot, which police say was stolen from Bartlett on Monday.

A search warrant was executed on the bays owned by Harrell, where officers found additional stolen cars and car parts including a black Infiniti Q50, a 2021 Chevrolet Camaro, and parts of a Cadillac CTS.

Harrell was charged with Prohibited Operation/Ownership of a Chop Shop, Criminal Intent Possession of a FOB Key Programming Equipment Prohibited, two counts of Theft of Property to wit: Auto $10,000-$60,000, three counts of Theft of Property to wit: Auto $60,000-$250,000, Vandalism $60,000-$250,000, Vandalism $10,000-$60,000, two counts of Vandalism $1,000-$2,500, and Altering or Changing Engine or Serial Number Fraudulently.

His bond has not been set.

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