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One In Custody After Dozens Of Stolen Cars Found At Scrap Yard

Updated 04/01/14 - 11:18 a.m.

CHICAGO (CBS) -- One person was in custody Tuesday morning, after Chicago police found dozens of stolen vehicles at a salvage yard on the Southeast Side.

WBBM Newsradio's Bernie Tafoya reports police have seen a spike in the number of stolen cars reported on the Southeast Side for a number of months.

On Monday, they discovered dozens of stolen vehicles at a scrap yard in the 3000 block of East 106th Street in the South Deering neighborhood.

A source said police raided the scrap yard after one car theft victim spotted his vehicle at Adelman's Truck & Equipment, at 3033 E. 106th St.

When officers searched the yard, they found dozens more stolen vehicles.

Melvin Williams told CBS 2's Mike Puccinelli his van was stolen a few days ago from his South Side home. When he saw a TV report about the scrap yard Tuesday morning, he spotted the van parked at the yard.

"I don't know what happened, but I know I saw it on TV this morning, so I came down here to get it," Williams said. "I rehab houses, so I need the van. I've got tools in it, and everything."

Police believe people associated with a towing company swiped vehicles off the street, and brought them to the salvage yard, where some would be scrapped for parts.

One person was in custody Tuesday morning, and police believe dozens could be involved in the car theft ring.

Adelman's is a well-known truck and equipment company based in Canton, Ohio, and advertises "the largest inventory of truck equipment and parts under one roof."

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