Myrtle chop shop raided by Union County Sheriff’s office

Officers of the Union County Sheriff’s Office (UCSO) raided a “chop shop” near Myrtle Saturday, August 25, and recovered a variety of stolen motor vehicles.

After receiving information from a dependable source, UCSO officers obtained and executed a search warrant at 1024 County Road 53, Lot 2. There they arrested Brett Robbins, age 37. As of Monday evening he remains in custody. Robbins is said to be formerly from Union County, but recently living in Pontotoc County.

Union County Sheriff Jimmy Edwards said the vehicles recovered were mostly trucks and SUVs, ranging from a Freightliner wrecker truck to Yukon and Tahoe SUVs. Some were partially disassembled and had missing engines and other components.

The sheriff said the vehicles were stolen in Union County, Lee County, Prentiss County, and some from the Memphis area of west Tennessee. Edwards said evidence gathered thus far indicates the total value of the trucks at over $100-thousand at the time they were stolen.

Robbins has been charged with 11 counts of possession of stolen property, mutilating a motor vehicle’s identification number, and operating a chop shop.

Sheriff Edwards said other arrests could result as the investigation continues.