Fort Worth man accused of running chop shop out of home

A north Fort Worth man is accused of running a chop shop out of his home, authorities said Thursday.

Samson Flores, 31, was arrested March 29 after police were called to his home in the 3900 block of Lebow Street about 6 p.m.

Officers found four stolen vehicles, a stolen motorcycle and various parts, including doors, hoods, fenders and truck beds, said Jesse Minton, a detective with the Tarrant Regional Auto Crimes Task Force.

One of the stolen vehicles was parked in front of Flores’ home, and others were in his back yard. He also had parts packed inside the home, Minton said.

“The inside of the house was basically like a pawnshop with tools and parts stacked to the ceiling,” Minton said. “He was there with his wife and kids, but I don’t know where the kids would sleep. Their rooms were just full of stuff. Tires, tools, saws.”

Officers were tipped off when a repossession agent saw the stolen vehicle outside the home, Minton said. The vehicle had been missing from a Fort Worth car lot. The other vehicles and parts had been reported missing from White Settlement and unincorporated Tarrant County, Minton said.

“A popular misconception is that ‘chop shops’ only operate at repair shops or auto-related businesses under the guise of doing legitimate work,” said Sgt. Matt Pedersen, the enforcement team leader for the auto crimes task force. “You don’t need a storefront to dismantle cars and turn them for profit.”

Flores was indicted in 2014 on a charge of engaging in organized crime and is scheduled to go to trial May 9. A Tarrant County grand jury charged him with being a gang member with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Flores has been convicted in Tarrant County of two felonies — burglary of habitation-assault in 2002 and engaging in organized crime in 2010 — and eight misdemeanors, including DWI and marijuana possession.

This story was originally published April 7, 2016 at 12:41 PM with the headline "Fort Worth man accused of running chop shop out of home."