Suspect arrested after multiple vehicles were stolen from local auto body shop

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Auto body shops near east 14th Street are getting back to business after having more vehicles stolen.

The first case of theft in the area was reported back in April.

The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) investigation continues for a slew of vehicle burglaries.

A suspect was arrested after a search warrant revealed two of the stolen cars.

Other auto body shops nearby say they are surprised about the burglaries saying sheriff’s typically frequent the area for their own car services.

Agnus McCarthur of AZ Equipment Repair & Fabrication says he hasn't dealt with any type of theft.

“We’ve been here 7-8 years right now and we have had no issues with any kind of break-ins or theft in the yard or inside the shop, so I’m pretty comfortable with surroundings around here," said McCarthur.

Tania Pavlak of the YCSO says the investigation has been going on for some time now.

“The businesses that were targeted are a welding type of business," said Pavlak. "The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office has been investigating a rash of business burglaries, the first one that started the investigation was back in April.”

John Mercado, from another shop in the area, MG Autoparts Yuma, say they keep each other aware of what’s going on if they happen to see weird activity.

“We all get along. If we ever see something weird we give a heads-up everywhere,” said Mercado.

Research shows that Arizona ranks number 11 for most vehicles stolen in 2020.

California was ranked number one with over 150,000 vehicles stolen that same year.

Make sure you’re keeping your car free of theft by taking the time to lock it up and put away anything flashy that could catch someone's eye.