Christchurch business owner arrested after stolen vehicle ‘chop shop’ busted

Friday, 29 May 2026

A 48-year-old Christchurch business owner has been arrested after police uncovered an operation dismantling stolen vehicles and shipping the parts overseas.

Police identified 27 stolen vehicles that went through the business in Kainga, where they were allegedly stripped for parts and sent to the United Arab Emirates.

The arrest follows a March search warrant where police reviewed five years of business records and found incorrect information being recorded to conceal suspicious sales.

The man has been charged with multiple breaches of the Second Hand Dealers Act and with participating in an organised criminal group.

Detective Sergeant Michael Hawke said the operation was significant given the scale of vehicle theft in Canterbury.

In 2025, $10 million worth of vehicles were reported stolen in the region and never recovered.

“Being able to drive a wedge between those stealing the vehicles, and the people they are offloading them to, is an extremely pleasing result,” he said.

Police said a similar operation in 2024 led to a $2 million decrease in the total value of stolen vehicles the following year.

During the investigation, police discovered multiple chat groups between car wrecking businesses warning each other about potential stolen vehicles being sold.

Police said car wrecking businesses have a legal obligation to report suspected stolen vehicles to police or risk losing their second-hand dealers licence.

“We are committed to ensuring any related offending is met with similar consequences,” Hawke said.

The 48-year-old is due to appear in Christchurch District Court on June 18.

Police suspect other businesses may be operating similarly and are asking the public to report information at police.govt.nz, or by calling 105.