What looked like a sleepy Medley warehouse turned into a crime scene on Thursday evening, after police say a stolen-car tracking signal led them straight to what appeared to be an illegal chop shop in the 7400 block of 74th Avenue. Inside, officers reported finding dismantled vehicles, loose engines and an array of tools. One man, identified in booking records as 35-year-old Rolando Garcia of West Miami, was arrested and is now facing multiple theft and title-related charges.
Tracking device led officers to the warehouse
Medley Police Chief Louis Ponce told investigators that officers were following the tracking signal from a stolen vehicle when it began pinging from inside the warehouse, prompting them to zero in on the property, according to Local 10. Officers said they could see the rear and midsection of a vehicle that matched the description of the stolen car before someone inside shut the doors to block their view. Investigators then pulled back, applied for a search warrant and waited until it was approved before going in.
What officers say they found inside
Once the warrant was in hand, investigators entered the warehouse and reported finding two stolen vehicles in different stages of being taken apart, along with eight engines and tools that they say were consistent with a chop-shop setup, as reported by Spot On Florida, which republished WPLG's coverage. All of the recovered parts and equipment are now being logged as evidence in the ongoing investigation.
Charges and custody
According to jail records, Garcia faces two counts of grand theft of a vehicle, along with one count each of operating, owning or aiding a chop shop and forging or altering a vehicle title, Local 10 reported. He was being held on a $10,000 bond at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Medley police have not released additional information on whether they believe anyone else may be involved, saying only that the probe is still underway.
Bigger picture: why officers pursue chop shops
Authorities say chop shops and vehicle-stripping rings have popped up across Miami-Dade in recent years, sometimes tied to towing yards and resellers. A 2025 case that resulted in multiple arrests was later highlighted by the National Insurance Crime Bureau after local reporting, underscoring how tactics like altering vehicle identification numbers and rebranding parts can make it harder to recover stolen cars and secure convictions. Detectives say tracking technology on newer vehicles is increasingly key in uncovering hidden warehouses where stolen cars are taken apart and sold off in pieces.
