A Christchurch business owner has been arrested and faces accusations of dismantling stolen vehicles to ship parts overseas.
Twenty-seven stolen vehicles allegedly went through the 48-year-old man’s business.
Polie also alleged involvement in organised crime and multiple breaches of the Second Hand Dealers Act.
Detective Sergeant Michael Hawke said the discovery brought clarity for Canterbury communities, with the arrest making an impact on the dealing of stolen cars.
“This arrest puts a significant dent into any dealing where stolen vehicles are knowingly being taken in by businesses and sold to offshore buyers.
“Being able to drive a wedge between those stealing the vehicles, and the people they are offloading them to, is an extremely pleasing result.”
In 2025, it was recorded that $10 million worth of vehicles were stolen in the Canterbury region and never recovered.
Hawke said "chop shop" arrests helped to bring down those numbers.
“Another business owner in the vehicle industry was arrested for similar offending. The following year, we saw the total value of all stolen vehicles in the region decrease by around $2 million.”
A 48-year-old is set to appear in the Christchurch District Court on June 18.
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