Wasatch Sheriffs discover ‘chop shop’ operation near Wallsburg

Items found by the Wasatch County Sheriff's Office at an illegal "chop shop" operation in Wallsburg on Sept. 20, 2023. Photo: Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office

WASATCH COUNTY, Utah — Deputies with the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office discovered a stolen vehicle chop shop near Wallsburg while investigating a stolen vehicle on Sept. 20.

According to a statement from the Sheriff’ Office, deputies were dispatched at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 20 to a residence near Wallsburg to look for a stolen vehicle, equipped with GPS, that had been taken from a neighboring county early that morning.

The deputies obtained a search warrant for the property, and found multiple vehicles, trailers, all-terrain vehicles, power tools and other property that they suspected to be stolen.

Deputies also discovered illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia, as well as tools that could have been used to commit burglaries and thefts.

Tyler Boyd James Hewitt, 32, of Wallsburg, Trista Roxanne Samson, 27, of Magna, and Trenton Bailey Gates, 27, of Centerville were arrested and charged in connection with this incident. Hewitt, Samson, and Gates all had several active warrants for their arrest.

Detectives are still processing the scene and identifying stolen property. The area being searched is over 100 acres. The Sheriff’s Office said the search could take several days to complete.

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