Veteran Santa Clara Officer Arrested For Stealing Auto Parts Worth $75,000
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- A 14-year Santa Clara police officer was arrested Friday for allegedly stealing more than $75,000 worth of sports car parts in San Jose, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office.
Tyson Green, 41, of Los Gatos, was taken into custody on felonies related to operating a chop shop, receiving stolen property and possession of stolen property, prosecutors said.
An investigation into Green began with a report from a man shopping for a Chevrolet Camaro engine who saw a seller listing on Craigslist, according to prosecutors.
He looked at the engine and based on his knowledge believed the parts were stolen, which led him to notify law enforcement, prosecutors said.
The Santa Clara County sheriff's Regional Auto Theft Task Force looked into the claim and learned Green allegedly kept four Camaro engines worth more than $15,000 each and a dozen car computers in a San Jose garage, prosecutors said.
The engines were found with only partial vehicle identification numbers, according to prosecutors.
Investigators suspect the parts were stolen throughout the Bay Area in the past two years, according to prosecutors.
If convicted, Green faces more than five years in prison, prosecutors said.
He is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail, according to jail records.
"Auto thefts are plaguing our area, directly affecting the owners and indirectly affecting insurance rates for everyone in the state," Deputy District Attorney Michael Vidmar said in a statement.
"It is deeply disappointing that a member of law enforcement chose to participate in this crime," Vidmar said.
In a statement Santa Clara police Chief Michael Sellers said, "It was sad to learn that one of my officers, Tyson Green, a 14-year veteran was arrested.
"He was put on paid administrative leave when we learned he was under criminal investigation. This is not a true reflection of the hard-working men and women of this department that serve and protect our community," Sellers said.
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