July 8, 2010, Investigators with TRATT (Tulare County Regional Auto Theft Task Force) received information that a chop shop was being operated in the Cutler area. TRATT investigators responded to the residence where they located a stolen 1997 Nissan Maxima cut up in many pieces. Investigators arrested Joshua Emery Brogan (54 years old) for operating a chop shop and being in possession of stolen property. After further investigation, TRATT Investigators arrested Michael Montemayor (34 years old) of Orosi for auto theft and operating a chop shop. Both subjects were booked into the Tulare County Jail.

To achieve it’s goal of reducing vehicle theft within the County of Tulare, TRATT conducts surveillance in high theft areas, serves outstanding felony arrest warrants for suspects wanted for vehicle theft and related crimes, seeks out possible “chop shop” operations by conducting business inspections, and conducts probation and parole searches of persons previously convicted of vehicle theft.

Contact Person: Assistant District Attorney, Shani D. Jenkins (559) 733-6411