Puerto Rico Police officers identified clandestine body and mechanic shops that were allegedly operating in violation of the law across several towns in northern Puerto Rico, the force said after an operation carried out by the Stolen Vehicles Division of the Arecibo area. The interventions took place in Quebradillas, Camuy, Morovis and Ciales, where agents inspected several shops and made 13 interventions for violations related to the origin of motor-vehicle parts; the corresponding drivers were cited.
During the operation, a green 2012 Chevrolet Cavalier with mutilated identification numbers was also seized, a confiscation authorized by prosecutor Yolanda Pitido Acevedo of the Arecibo prosecutor’s office. Authorities are additionally investigating a blue 2026 Nissan Kicks to establish its registered ownership. The operation was led by Lt. Christopher Atiles Cruz, assistant director of the Stolen Vehicles Division of Arecibo, who urged the public to report clandestine shops or establishments doing mechanic and body work without meeting legal requirements.