WATSONVILLE — A 28-year-old Watsonville man was arrested Monday on suspicion of vehicle theft and running a “chop shop” operation.

The Santa Cruz County Auto Theft Taskforce took Gustavo Chavez into custody around 10:30 a.m., relying on a tip from the Watsonville Police Department.

During the weekend, Watsonville officers responded to a call at the same Grant Street address and observed ” indicators of a chop shop in progress.” A chop shop references a location where stolen vehicles are stripped for parts.

The department, along with California Highway Patrol officers, later returned to the site to conduct a probation search and Chavez’s subsequent arrest. At the property, officers located several cars that were actively being dismantled, chopped apart and identified two Hondas that had been stolen, according to a CHP release on the bust.

Chavez on Monday afternoon remained in custody at the Santa Cruz County Jail, held in lieu of $10,000 bail.