Salvage Yard Searched For Stolen Merchandise

Investigators from several jurisdictions spent the day getting dirty, digging through a salvage yard looking for stolen property.

Officers with the CaseONE Task Force served a search warrant and raided Westside Auto Wreckers around 8:30 a.m. Monday.

The task force was looking for suspect stolen items that were taken during recent burglaries.

Clay Township Police Chief Don Perkins said, “We’re just going through all kinds of stuff.”

Officials said they are trying to recover stolen property they believe was sold to Westside Auto Wreckers.

Perkins said he and other officers are not sure if the business was aware that the items were stolen or not.

“Got the rims and stuff a couple different chainsaws, tools and just a variety of different things,” Perkins said.

Those who work at the business said they run a reputable company for years now, and would never purposely buy something that is stolen.

Dale Ledbetter said, “I just came in and opened up as usual and about 8:30 the police rolled in and said they were looking for stolen merchandise, and that is really all the info they gave me.”

Ledbetter said the business is not a scrap yard, but a salvage yard, where their main business in buying and selling used cars and parts.

Officers said their investigation could last for several days.