Task force, Lynn cops break up chop shop

LYNN – After a joint investigation by the Governor’s Auto Theft Task Force, State Police and Lynn Police, a Lynn man stands accused of turning his employer’s Bennett Street auto body business into a mini chop shop.Oscar Villanueva, 43, of 40 Raddin Grove Ave., was arrested on a warrant Monday afternoon and charged with six counts of receiving a stolen vehicle with a defaced vehicle identification number (VIN) and two counts of receiving stolen vehicle parts over $250.Police began investigating Villanueva Oct. 3 after a routine inspection by officers of the Governor’s Auto Theft Task Force at Polo Auto Body on 46 Bennett St.Police said the owner of Polo’s, identified as Aparcion Gonzalez, was cooperative and allowed law enforcement to inspect his business.During the search, police allegedly found several auto parts from two vehicles that were reported stolen in July from Peabody and Waltham.Investigators took a closer look at one of the vehicles in the shop, which allegedly had a hood, front bumper, right and left fenders, trunk and rear bumper that had all been replaced.The VIN on all of these auto parts had been defaced, investigators said.However, the back bumper still had a sticker on it reading, “Racing Development Tanabe.” Police later linked that sticker to a stolen 1997 Honda Civic from Waltham.There was also an airbag with a VIN still attached, which indicated that it originally belonged to a 2000 Honda Civic stolen from Peabody.Shortly after both vehicles were reported stolen in July, Lynn police found them completely stripped of their parts on city streets, police said.Gonzalez told police one of his employees, later identified as Villanueva, brought the stolen parts into his shop during the early morning hours of Oct. 3, according to police.Villanueva later admitted that he and his two sons brought the parts to the shop that day, police said.What is still unclear is who exactly is accused of stealing the parts.Villanueva told police he bought the automobile with the alleged stolen parts from a mechanic on Alley Street in Lynn. And that mechanic told police he did in fact sell Villaneuva the vehicle.Police towed the suspect vehicle until the matter is resolved, according to authorities.The listed phone numbers for Polo Auto Body have been disconnected.Villanueva is due back in Lynn District Court Jan. 14 for a pre-trial hearing.