Nature of Incident: Arrests Made for Motorcycle Chop Shop Operation
Report Number: 18-37400
Location: 3000 Block Grande Vista, Thousand Oaks CA 91360
4400 Block Industrial Street, Simi Valley, CA 93063
Date & Time: April 12, 2018
Unit Responsible: Thousand Oaks Police Department Patrol Services / Thousand Oaks
Investigations Bureau
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Wendorf, Brian
(S) Shoop, Joanna
Simi Valley
Westlake Village
28
26
Narrative:
Two suspects were identified and arrested for operating a motorcycle chop shop operation in Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley. During the investigation, deputies recovered three stolen motorcycles and multiple motorcycle parts from two storage units. The parts are believed to be from at least four other stolen motorcycles.
Since January 1, 2018, the city of Thousand Oaks has had a dramatic increase in reported motorcycle thefts. A total of 11 motorcycles have been reported stolen and all were taken during late night or early morning hours.
On the morning of April 10, 2018, Thousand Oaks patrol deputies recovered three stolen motorcycles, from three separate locations, all within a quarter mile of 3000 Grande Vista. At each of the recovery locations, deputies located neighboring businesses that had exterior
surveillance cameras. By viewing the surveillance footage, deputies determined each of the stolen motorcycles was dropped off by the same two suspects. Detectives canvased the area and identified a storage unit in the 3000 Block of Grande Vista that may be related to the thefts. During the investigation, detectives determined the storage unit belonged to Joanna Shoop. Shoop was positively identified as one of the suspects depicted in the surveillance footage.
On April 12, 2018, Investigators located Shoop in the Simi Valley area and identified Brian Wendorf as the second suspect. Wendorf is currently on Ventura County probation for previous narcotics related offences and was also out on $30,000 bail for a prior vehicle theft arrest. Investigators arrested Shoop and Wendorf and identified a second storage unit in the 4400 block of Industrial Street in Simi Valley. Shoop was transported and booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventra. Wendorf was transported and booked into the East Valley Jail.
On April 13, 2018, Investigators served search warrants at both storage unit locations and located multiple disassembled motorcycles. Investigators believe the motorcycle parts are from at least 4 additional stolen motorcycles. On April 16, 2018, The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office filed three counts of vehicle theft and one count of operating a “Chop Shop” on Shoop and Wendorf. Both are currently in custody on $100,000 bail.
Prepared by: Detective Jason Karol
Media Release Date: April 17, 2018
Media Follow-Up Contact: Detective Tim Lohman
[email protected]
(805) 947-8255
Approved by: Captain Bill Schierman
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
