Det. Reid Stacy (Dallas PD) receiving Award of Merit from Rick Greenwood

On March 2, 2009, Detective Reid Stacy of the Dallas Police Department Auto Theft Salvage Squad received information that the occupants of 3632 Hammerly Drive were receiving, storing and dismantling stolen vehicles.

On April 10, 2009, Detectives Stacy and Salinas conducted surveillance and observed a 2007 Chevrolet pickup white in color. The partially stripped vehicle was missing the front clip, hood, and
bumper. Detectives were unable to verify the identity of the vehicle and on April 11, 2009, patrol recovered the vehicle approximately 4 to 5 blocks from the address in question.

On April 15, 2009, Detective Stacy identified two subjects as possible occupants through a combination of database searches including adult identification system.

On April 21, 2009 Detectives Stacy and Salinas conducted surveillance at the location. Detectives observed in the back yard a male subject stripping the interior of a blue 2000 Chevrolet vehicle. The vehicle was also missing front quarter panels, grill, hood and doors. Detectives were unable to identify the 2000 Chevrolet. Next to the stripped blue Chevrolet was a 2009 gray Chevrolet Silverado that was in good condition.

The next day, Detectives Stacy and Ferguson conducted surveillance and observed a 2000 blue Chevrolet in the back yard of the residence. The vehicle was in good condition. Also in the backyard was a stripped vehicle that was being concealed with a plastic tarp. Detectives observed four males loading unknown parts into a 1999 white Chevrolet pickup with a Texas license plate.

Again, one day later, Detective Ferguson conducted aerial surveillance with the assistance of the Dallas Police helicopter. Detective Ferguson observed two vehicles in the back yard. One unknown vehicle was covered with a plastic tarp. The vehicle was identified as a 2003 white Cadillac Escalade.

On April 24, 2009, detectives from Dallas Police Department Auto Theft Salvage Unit “Junk Yard Dogs” conducted a knock and talk investigation at the location. One subject interviewed stated that he resided there. Detective Stacy asked this subject if he would grant detectives permission to search his residence and residential yard. The subject agreed by signing a written consent form.

Detectives Salinas and Garza observed two males actively removing the bed on a blue 2000 Chevrolet Silverado pickup and a third male carrying a blue door. The blue 2000 Chevrolet Silverado
was missing all four doors, the interior seats were missing and the front hood, quarter panels, and grill. The vehicle was stolen out of Dallas. Detectives observed a 2003 Cadillac Escalade stolen in Irving. Between the dates of March 3, 2009 to April 24, 2009, intelligence information, surveillance and investigation of the residence by auto theft detectives corroborated that the subjects detained at this location were active participants in a “chop shop”. The group established, maintained, and participated in combination in the stripping and dismantling of stolen vehicles for financial gain. Detectives identified a total of fifteen stolen vehicles or parts that belong to stolen vehicles with an aggregated value of $260,000.00. The dates of theft range from February 17, 2009 to April 22,
2009.

Due to the long hours and tireless effort put forth by Detective Stacy of the Dallas Police Auto Theft Unit, he was nominated and won the Award of Merit.

By Randy Andrews, SCRC Past President