BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Two men are under arrest after CHP located a stolen vehicle, prompting the suspect to flee on foot, leading officers to an illegal chop shop in east Bakersfield, according to CHP.
The chop shop was discovered on Aug. 7, then investigators with the Kern County Auto Theft Task Force responded to a call of a vehicle theft near E Brundage Lane and Oswell St. Investigators spotted the vehicle 10 minutes later in the 500 block of Tanner St.
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When officers approached the stolen vehicle, the suspect fled on foot, heading west into a fenced and blocked-off property. During the foot pursuit, the suspect led detectives to the chop shop where they found a second suspect dismantling a stolen GMC truck, CHP said.
Both suspects fled the chop shop but were arrested a short time later.
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CHP arrested and identified Israel Cruz, 29, and Edgar Gonzales, 38, both of Bakersfield. The men were charged with multiple offenses: operating a chop shop, vehicle theft, possession of stolen vehicles, and resisting arrest. Investigators later learned Gonzales had an outstanding felony warrant.