2 Accused of Running Chop Shop

Two Land O’ Lakes residents have been accused of operating a chop shop.

Justin Northrup and Joanna Keene were arrested on Aug. 6 at 4116 Primavera Drive in Land O’ Lakes, where Pasco Sheriff’s Office spokesman Doug Tobin said stolen vehicle parts and evidence of a chop shop were found.

Northrup is also connected to a chop shop case in Moon Lake, Tobin said.  On April 29, detectives arrested Gary Lynn Baker and charged him with operating a chop shop at 10809 Malati St.

Deputies found that Northrup’s fingerprints led back to that chop shop, Tobin said. He said Northrup is a mechanic who is believed to have helped dismantle stolen cars. 

When a detective went to find the Land O’ Lakes home recently, he found Keene and Northrup with stolen parts and evidence of a chop shop.

Each was charged with operating a chop shop. Both list the Primavera Drive location as their residence.

Northrup also told a detective that he chopped cars with Baker and a man named Dwayne Keene. Keene is still at large, Tobin said.