Times staff
Times staff
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
ST. PETERSBURG
SALVAGE OWNER CHARGED WITH AUTO THEFT
Police are accusing a salvage owner of car theft and running a chop shop. Scott Sands, who owns Independent Salvage at 3101 Emerson Ave. S, was arrested late Tuesday at his Clearwater home on charges of auto theft, title certificate fraud, dealing in stolen property and operating a chop shop. This is what police say happened: Police detective Tim Brown of the auto theft unit went to Sands' shop and saw employees cutting a 1990 Lexus LS400 into four pieces. Police determined that the car had been stolen Oct. 25 not far from the shop. Detectives returned Tuesday and found a 2005 Ford F-450 that had been reported stolen to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office on March 20. The truck had Independent Salvage logos painted on both doors. Detectives also said Sands faked ...