ChrisLynchMedia.com has captured the moment a Christchurch auto-dismantler was raided by police.

Lion Auto Dismantlers on Broad Street in Woolston was raided on Thursday morning following an investigation into a rise in car crime, which began in March. The focus was on two auto-dismantlers’ yards: one in Christchurch and the other in Upper Hutt. Police believe these businesses were fuelling vehicle thefts in their wider districts.

Police arrested two men and are taking restraint action under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act after investigating illegal activities at the two auto-dismantlers’ yards.

Police became suspicious after visiting the Christchurch auto-dismantler and finding breaches of the Secondhand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act. Investigators allege that multiple stolen cars had been bought by the yard at grossly undervalued rates.

A 21-year-old from Upper Hutt and a 39-year-old from Christchurch were arrested as a result of simultaneous warrants executed in a joint initiative with Tactical Crime Units, Asset Recovery Units, and Customs.

The men face charges relating to receiving stolen vehicles and breaching the Secondhand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act 2004.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Sarah Graham said, “This is a shot across the bow of the second-hand industry. If you break the law, we will track you down and work across districts and agencies to do it.”

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Graham added that police wouldn’t rule out further arrests as investigation teams comb through the evidence gathered so far.

This is the second auto-dismantler to be prosecuted in Christchurch in the last year in relation to similar offending.