Ventura man arrested in Lockwood Valley chop shop investigation
Jeremy ChildsA Ventura resident was arrested in connection with an illegal “chop shop” operation in Lockwood Valley, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday.
Authorities said the investigation began in February when a deputy stationed in Lockwood Valley arrested Paul Jenkins, 49, of Ventura, on suspicion of possessing a stolen trailer. In March, Jenkins’ wife, identified as Nicole Denton, 48, of Ventura, was also arrested on suspicion of possessing a separate stolen trailer, authorities said. Both trailers were found in Lockwood Valley, authorities said.
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Further investigation revealed that Jenkins and Denton possessed a stolen motorcycle on their property at Camp Scheideck in Los Padres National Forest, according to authorities. Deputies obtained a signed search warrant for the residence and found evidence of a chop shop operation, including two stolen vehicles, three stolen license plates, various explosives, a loaded sawed-off shotgun with the serial number removed and an unregistered .22 caliber rifle, according to authorities.
On Tuesday, Jenkins was arrested on suspicion of possessing explosives without a permit, according to authorities. Additional warrants have been requested to further investigate other pending violations related to the operation, according to authorities.