Perry Township man accused of owning chop shop
Greene County Regional Police charged a Perry Township man last week in connection with an alleged chop shop operation.
Jimmy Lee Butterfield, 43, faces felonies of theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, destruction of vehicle identification numbers, owning a chop shop, prohibited possession of a firearm and escape. He is also charged with misdemeanors of possession of a weapon.
According to the criminal complaint, police were called July 2 to Butterfield’s home in the 200 block of Dunkard Avenue as part of an investigation into a motorcycle stolen from Cumberland Township.
Police searched a home and a detached garage, where they found three motorcycles and an all-terrain vehicle. The vehicle identification numbers had been destroyed, according to Greene Regional Police Chief William DeForte.
“It appeared they were selling the parts of the vehicles,” DeForte said.
According to DeForte, police also recovered an AR-15 and a sawed-off shotgun. Suspected drugs were also removed from the home and are being tested. Butterfield is not currently charged with any drug-related crimes.
There is an active warrant for Butterfield’s arrest.