A state task force, with the assistance of local law enforcement agencies, found 19 stolen vehicles and made an arrest this week in Phoenix during an investigation of possible chop shop operations, officials said.

Detectives with the Arizona Department of Public Safety Vehicle Theft Task Force conducted salvage yard business inspections on Jan. 17 near 4024-4124 W. Broadway Road in Phoenix.

“This operation was conceived in an effort to disrupt the flow of stolen vehicles that end up in chop shops at salvage yards throughout the Phoenix area,” DPS officials said in a release.

During the operation, 12 business inspections were conducted, and three business search warrants were served. Approximately 2,150 vehicles and motors were inspected, 19 stolen vehicles were recovered and one suspect was arrested, according to a DPS release.

Mohammad Moe Lathgani, 36, of Phoenix was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on charges, including one count of chop shop operations, four counts of theft of means of transportation and one count of possession of dangerous drugs. Lathgani is the owner of 1st Choice Auto Parts No. 2 salvage yard, authorities said.

DPS listed the following agencies and organizations as having provided assistance in the investigation:

• Apache Junction Police Department
• Pinal County Sheriff's Office
• Phoenix Police Department
• Tucson Police Department
• Arizona Department of Insurance
• Chandler Police Department
• Tempe Police Department
• Glendale Police Department
• Peoria Police Department
• Goodyear Police Department
• Gilbert Police Department
• National Insurance Crime Bureau
• Arizona Department of Transportation

The Vehicle Theft Task Force is comprised of city, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies “participating in a concerted effort to identify, apprehend and prosecute individuals and criminal organizations that profit from the theft of motor vehicles and related crimes,” DPS officials said.