In motor vehicle theft, a chop shop is a location or business which disassembles stolen automobiles for the purpose of selling them as parts.
Stolen cars are sold in foreign countries for several reasons. In underdeveloped countries, there are often fewer rules and less enforcement of laws pertaining to plates and title paperwork, so the car is less likely to be noticed. Criminals are also hopeful that there is little incentive on the part of the victim to search in other countries, as even if the car is found, recovery may cost more (in detective, legal, and transportation fees) than the car is actually worth. This is especially true if the stolen car is of lesser value.
Read more about Chop Shop: Difficulties Stealing Certain Cars, Operation, Example Statistics
Famous quotes containing the words chop and/or shop:
“No, you can’t chop your poppa up in Massachusetts.”
—Michael Brown (b. 1920)
“Thank God we’re living in a country where the sky’s the limit, the stores are open late and you can shop in bed thanks to television.”
—Joan Rivers (b. 1935)