Stolen '58 Chevy Impala Returned To Owner In Restored Condition

LANCASTER (CBSLA.com) — A stolen 1958 Chevrolet Impala convertible and two other classic cars were back in the garage of its rightful owner after a Lancaster-area man was arrested for allegedly running a local chop shop, authorities said Friday.

Don Faison, 44, of Quartz Hill, was arrested Wednesday after detectives with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Taskforce for Regional Auto Theft Prevention (TRAP) served a search warrant at a residence on the 4600 block of West M-12, Quartz Hill, according to Sheriff's Sgt. Jess Corral.

KNX 1070's Vytas Safronikas reports detectives impounded a total of four vehicles and concluded three of the following vehicles had the vehicle identification numbers changed, including the Impala, which was stolen in March 2007 from the Los Angeles area.

A 1955 Chevrolet Bel Aire, stolen in May 2011 rom the Santa Monica area and a 1960 Chevrolet Impala stolen in April 2011 from the Monrovia area were also recovered.

Corral said the vehicles had their identification numbers changed to avoid detection from any law enforcement officers who possibly would come in contact with them.

The original owner of the '58 Impala - who had no insurance for this vehicle at the time of theft - found his vehicle had been repainted and new upholstery when it was returned to him, according to authorities.

"In essence, his vehicle was returned in better condition than before it was stolen," Sergeant Jess Corral said in a statement. "This doesn't occur very often and he is a lucky individual."

Faison was booked at Van Nuys jail on felony charges of operating a chop shop.