According to Carscoops, authorities in San Antonio, Texas have made several arrests in connection with a local chop shop. In a year-long investigation dubbed "Operation Hellcat Mike" by the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, the department found that Hellcat Mike and several other mechanics would steal Hellcats, remove the engines and related tech, and reinstall them into other, more low-key Stellantis models. They would then sell the modified vehicles on Facebook Marketplace for half of what their genuine high performance variants cost. Apparently, the group had a calling card- a massive Hellcat logo that covered the rear door and C-pillar of the entry-level Chargers they stole-sold. Law enforcement was watching the shop, which is located in San Antonio's northside, when they pulled over a Chrysler 300 exiting the property. A red flag was when the 300's VIN sticker didn't match what the onboard computer showed, which was a $124,000 Charger. Notably, a Charger matching that VIN had been burglarized months before, its ECU and engine stolen. That same day, a Ram 1500 left the shop with a license plate that belonged to another Charger. With a search warrant, sheriff's deputies raided the property. Its initial search turned up seven stolen vehicles and various stolen parts including PCMs taken from local dealerships, as well as a Charger in the process of being built. "Hellcat" Mike Wilson, 37, and three other men, ages 19 to 33, were arrested. Two more suspects, both 18, remain at large. The Hellcat criminals were booked on various individual charges, including engaging in organized crime, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and theft of a vehicle. The sheriff's office says Hellcat Mike is facing a $750,000 for his role in the chop shop and other incidents.
Why? I’ll never get it. If you’re that talented or skilled you can pull an engine out of a Hellcat and drop it in a Chrysler 300, why not use that talent and skill to make an honest living?
