A Norco property yielded a staggering haul Friday: 50 stolen vehicles valued at $1.8 million, along with two arrests in an investigation targeting an organized Southern California theft ring.
A multiagency task force recovered the vehicles after serving search warrants in Riverside County, including Norco and Corona. As reported by CBS Los Angeles, Brian Stump, 46, and Kelsey Jones, 29, were booked on allegations including operating a chop shop, vehicle theft, possessing stolen vehicles, and narcotics possession.
The Riverside Auto-Theft Interdiction Detail, known as RAID, carried out the operation after a months-long investigation into an organized crime group authorities say stole vehicles across Southern California. CHP Chief Tariq Johnson said organized theft rings “continue to pose a significant threat to communities,” according to the report.
The Haul Included More Than Cars
Investigators recovered motorcycles, passenger vehicles, trailers, utility terrain vehicles and a collection of vehicle components from the Norco operation. The mix suggests authorities were not dealing with a single stolen car tucked behind a garage, but a broader dismantling and storage operation.
The booking allegations include multiple counts tied to stolen vehicles, meaning prosecutors may ultimately have to sort through which recovered vehicles connect to which theft reports. The allegations have not been proven in court, and an arrest is not a conviction.
California Theft Numbers Are Down But Rings Remain Active
California recorded 176,230 vehicle thefts in 2024, a 13.14% decline from the previous year, according to CHP’s 2024 vehicle-theft data. Even so, more than half of the state’s reported vehicle thefts occurred in Southern California, which includes Riverside County.
The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office describes RAID as a countywide task force that works with local law enforcement and the California Department of Insurance on organized vehicle theft, including chop shops, title-washing operations and VIN-switching schemes. That structure gives investigators a way to follow stolen vehicles beyond the city where they were first reported missing.
Investigation Remains Open
The California Highway Patrol said the investigation is ongoing and urged anyone with information to contact investigators Michael Eshleman or Matt Ambriz at (951) 955-2770. Authorities have not announced whether additional arrests or charges are expected.
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