The Sheriff Department received a call from a concerned citizen Thursday, who claimed to have information about an illegal operation that strips down stolen cars.
Officials drove to the scene at 1621 Deep Creek Road and discovered a vacant mobile home and an adjacent lot filled with high end vehicle parts.
Detectives and the State Department of Motor Vehicles quickly began inventory of the parts, which included doors, engines, wheels and bumpers. Many of them were wrapped in plastic and were prepared to be shipped overseas.
Also at the scene were three suspects --30-year old Samer Fakhir Othman of Durham, 27-year old Darian Lavarre Moore of Durham and 24-year old Essic McCauley Williams, IV of Durham-- who are believed to be involved in the chop shop operation.
Investigators say they have information from VIN numbers which indicated at least one of the vehicles may have been stolen from a car dealership in Durham and another from a dealership in Sanford.
So far, the investigation has uncovered at least seven stolen vehicles. They include a BMW, 2008 Toyota Corolla, 2008 Chevy Trailblazer and 2007 Murano.
Fakhi, Moore and Williams have all been charged with two counts of possession of a stolen motor vehicle and one count of felony conspiracy.
They are being held in the Cumberland County Detention Center under a $4,000 secured bond.
Detectives say more arrests are expected as the investigation continues.
