Miner man pleads guilty to running 'chop shop'

A Missouri Bootheel man has pleaded guilty to operating a chop shop that resold auto parts from stolen vehicles, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

Thomas Wade Brock, 63, of Miner, Mo., also pleaded guilty Monday to five additional federal charges of trafficking in motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts, and one count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Sentencing was set for June 28.

Brock operates Brock's Auto Salvage in New Madrid County. During a routine inspection in February 2003, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and other agencies seized a gun, ammunition and several auto parts from stolen vehicles, Gruender said.

Many of the engines, transmissions and other parts had their vehicle identification numbers removed or obliterated. Brock told officers he had received the stolen vehicles and parts from people in the St. Louis area over a two-year period, Gruender said.

Brock had previously been convicted in 1990 of possession and sales of vehicles with altered ID numbers.