Suspect says he profited from car scam

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Albuquerque police arrested another man who they said is connected to one of the largest chop shops ever busted in the Duke City.

Police said Boback Sabeerin was part of an elaborate scheme that involved stealing cars and then selling them back to the public.

Friday, investigators said they've verified 20 stolen cars found at two businesses in northeast Albuquerque. They said there could be numerous others.

Sabeerin, 43, ran one of those businesses.

Police raided his shop on General Arnold NE and another shop on Rhode Island NE on Wednesday.

Authorities also arrested Anjum Tahir. He is believed to be the mastermind behind the very organized group of car thieves whose scam stretched across three states, according to police..

Police said the scammers would buy salvaged cars and swap those VIN numbers with the ones from recently stolen cars. Then, the stolen cars would be sold at a cheap price to unsuspecting buyers.

"Obviously any citizen could see that number go purchase this vehicle they could actually get it registered under these fake numbers not knowing that this vehicle that they're riding around in is stolen," Sgt. Lou Heckroth said.

Sabeerin confessed to police and said he profited from the scam.

Police are still trying to identify how many vehicles were stolen.

Sabeerin faces several charges including eight counts of receiving and transferring stolen vehicles and two counts of changing and altering engine numbers.

He's being held on a $41,000 bond.