East Memphis Neighborhood Shocked by Chop Shop Discovery
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — In a surprising turn of events that left many residents shaking their heads, a quiet street in East Memphis became the scene of a bustling police investigation. Lawton Turner, a 46-year-old man, has found himself in quite a bit of trouble as he faces charges of operating a chop shop right in the heart of the neighborhood!
On an unusually calm Thursday afternoon in the 4900 block of Spottswood, the stillness was a stark contrast to what had transpired just the day before. Local resident Rebecca Vanelli described the scene, recalling, “Just about 10 or 15 cop cars, lots of police over there.” She went on to mention, “We talked to some of the police and they said they thought they were running a chop shop or something.” Talk about a plot twist!
According to the Memphis Police Department, investigators arrived to recover what remained of a stolen 2017 Nissan Altima, which led to Turner’s arrest. Vanelli, who was a firsthand witness to the unfolding drama, said, “They were over there most of the day. They took one guy away that they found behind the garage. I don’t know what happened with him.” A little suspense goes a long way in a usually quiet neighborhood!
The Backstory of the Stolen Car
Now, how did the police connect the dots to this particular rental property? It all began with a stolen Nissan. The car’s owner reported that she had left her vehicle on I-40 near Austin Peay with a flat tire on October 7, only to return the next day and discover it missing. Fast forward to the discovery, and it appears that Turner had tried to sell the stolen Nissan—oh, the irony!
The car turned up posted for sale at the incredibly low price of $210 on a popular car-buying site called Peddle. When a potential buyer showed up, a quick check of the vehicle identification number (VIN) revealed it was indeed stolen. The police were called in, and the Auto Theft Task Force swung into action.
From Chop Shop to Courtroom
Once on the scene, investigators noted that the Nissan had several parts stripped from it, indicating that it was in the process of being chopped. Turner, when questioned, claimed that someone named “TB” had dropped off the car and that it had already been damaged when it arrived. He further insisted he had no clue the car was stolen and was merely trying to sell it after “TB” never returned.
Concerned neighbors like Vanelli can only hope that this incident remains an isolated case. She expressed her relief when she said, “Hopefully, that’s all. We won’t have any more of that go on in this neighborhood.” It’s the kind of sentiment that resonates well in communities, especially when feeling safe and secure is paramount.
What Happens Next?
Turner made his first court appearance on Thursday morning, where he was assigned a $15,000 bond. As of now, it’s unclear whether he has managed to post bond and secure his release from jail. With this situation still developing, many in East Memphis are left to ponder what will come next.
This incident serves as a reminder that sometimes, underneath a calm exterior, chaos can brew, shaking our sense of security. Residents can only hope that their neighborhood will soon return to its peaceful ways and that stories like Turner’s will be just that—stories!
