and each individual part has a serial number and some don't,  HCSO Detective Jose Castellanos said.  When you separate all that, it is a lot harder to identify that as an actual stolen vehicle. 

Investigators may have to examine engines, transmissions, doors and other individual components to determine whether they came from stolen vehicles and connect them to victims or other cases.

The investigation remains active as detectives continue cataloging the recovered parts and determining whether more suspects or stolen vehicles are connected to the locations.

Deputies search a property as part of a multi-agency operation targeting suspected chop shop activity. (Harris County Sheriff's Office)

The latest recovery follows other chop shop investigations reported by KPRC 2. In April, a Missouri City traffic stop led investigators to a suspected operation authorities said was connected to stolen vehicles and parts from across the region. Police later told KPRC 2 they had recovered 25 stolen vehicles and parts, including frames and chassis.

In December, six stolen vehicles and parts from another pickup truck were recovered during a separate investigation in Baytown. And in 2023, HCSO said five stolen vehicles worth more than $254,000 were found after a chop shop was discovered in northwest Harris County.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said combating auto theft requires cooperation among local, state and federal agencies.

 Auto theft is a serious crime that impacts victims across our region, and one agency cannot combat it alone,  Gonzalez said.  We rely on strong partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement to share resources, strengthen investigations, and continue reducing this type of crime in our communities.