Gwinnett County police have broken up a “chop shop” operation — involving not cars or motorcycles but personal watercraft.
Dane Michael Sweatman was arrested Oct. 11 and charged with running a chop shop and six counts of theft by receiving, according to Gwinnett County jail records. He was released on bond the same day.
Sweatman, of Sugar Hill, who ran a legitimate repair business, bought stolen Jet Skis and Sea-Doos, police told AM750 News/Talk WSB. He would then swap the hull identication numbers with ones from nonworking watercraft and sell the stolen craft, WSB reported.
Gwinnett police spokesman Cpl. Jake Smith said police have found three victims of the thefts so far, and “It is possible there will be additional victims who are discovered during the course of the investigation.”
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