The theft of a stolen all-terrain vehicle led authorities to a chop shop operating in Turlock, as well as the seizure of an estimated 100 pounds of marijuana.

The Stanislaus County Auto Theft Task Force received information about the theft of a Kawasaki Mule and other equipment from the Modesto area on Oct. 14.

The stolen Kawasaki was recently spotted by a California Highway Patrol Officer at a home on E. Harding Road, east of Lander Avenue in Turlock.

StanCATT conducted surveillance on the residence and witnessed the stolen ATV being driven around the property.

Authorities discovered two people residing on the property were on searchable probation and on Thursday they, along with Stanislaus County Probation, conducted a search at the property.

In addition to the stolen Kawasaki, StanCATT recovered a Honda Quad that was stolen at the same time and a Pontiac Grand Prix, reported stolen out of Merced County.

They also found 100 pounds of marijuana, five portable concentrated cannabis labs, and a sawed-off shotgun.

Partner Hooten, 40, of Turlock was arrested at the residence. He was arrested on suspicion of auto theft and operating a chop shop. Officers found the engine from the stolen Pontiac in Hooten’s mother’s vehicle, which was a similar model Grand Prix.

Gary Olson, 37, of Turlock was arrested on suspicion of cultivating marijuana and possession of marijuana for sales.

Keith Bradley, 18, was arrested on suspicion of manufacturing concentrated cannabis and possession of marijuana for sales.

This was the second chop shop StanCATT has found in the Turlock area lately. On Oct. 3 they found a chop shop on Golden State Boulevard south of Keyes Road in Turlock and arrested 30-year old Claudio Barron and 23-year old Ricky Colmenero.