GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. -- Investigators of the Gwinnett County Police Department auto theft unit arrested a suspect that was involved in an alleged motorcycle chop shop.
Officers said Michael Wilmott, 41, fenced stolen motorcycles by altering the vehicle identification numbers and selling the vehicles out of a motorcycle dealership in an unincorporated portion of Lilburn.
Investigators executed a search warrant at Extreme Cycles on Stone Mountain Highway Tuesday. Officials seized 12 motorcycles that were believed to be stolen, police said.
Police said the investigation showed enough probable cause to demonstrate that the suspect had knowledge that the vehicles he was selling were stolen and that he was altering the VINs in an effort to disguise the fact and to facilitate the retail reselling of motorcycles through the business of Extreme Cycles.
Wilmott was charged with operating a chop shop, theft by receiving stolen vehicles and theft by receiving stolen property.
Wilmott was being held in the Gwinnett County Detention Center in lieu of $82,000 bond.
Gwinnett police Detective Corporal Bouchillon is requesting to hear from anyone doing business with Extreme Cycles of Lilburn in form of either purchasing or renting motorcycles or other vehicles, or any individual with more information about Wilmott’s activities. Bouchillon can be reached at 770-513-5347.
The investigation continues.