Casa Grande Dispatch and wire reports
(Edited for length)
Multiple arrests were made at Hendrix and Co. Recycling on Wednesday morning as part of a statewide operation by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, aimed at scrap-metal recyclers in the state.
Police officers executed a warrant at the Coolidge Avenue business around 8:30 a.m. Officials at the scene said Hendrix employees have knowingly purchased stolen property, including steel, copper, appliances and cars that could be stripped and sold.
The Phoenix Police Department said the investigation was dubbed Operation Tin Man.
According to authorities, car thieves took stolen vehicles to the Hendrix salvage yards where the cars would be reduced to scrap, no questions asked.
A family member on the scene at Hendrix and Co. Recycling in Phoenix told ABC15 the business was founded by her grandfather more than 70 years ago, they have consistently contributed to the community and they have no idea why police have served a search warrant.
“We do everything legal,” C. Hendrix said.
