AST Investigates Suspected Chop Shop In Wasilla

Anchorage, Alaska — Alaska State Troopers investigated a suspected chop shop it discovered in Wasilla on Saturday.

According to Trooper spokeswoman Beth Ipsen, the operating chop shop is on residential property off of Hiawatha Drive. Among vehicle parts and other items, Troopers found a 2003 Dodge Ram pick-up truck that was reported stolen a while back but Ipsen said it was in pieces, and described it as a total loss.

"This can even happen to ATV's and motorcycles where basically they take it apart and they sell the parts individually. That's what appears to be happening at this one. They were cutting up the vehicle," Ipsen said.

No one has been charged yet and troopers are still investigating how many people were involved in the operation.

In Anchorage, a couple of residents of a Spenard neighborhood said they heard about chop shops from Anchorage Police when they filed police reports after expensive off-road vehicles were stolen.

Shannon Bodenner and her husband had their Polaris Razor-- valued at about $20,000-- stolen from their driveway along with a flat-bed trailer. A couple days later, they found out that their neighbor also had his Razor stolen.

Troopers cannot confirm other items in the chop shop but say the majority of them are likely from the valley.

AST asks anyone who has information about the chop shop or may be a victim, to call Trooper Hayes or Trooper Lopez at (907) 745-2131.