Pasco Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Eugene Patrick Carroll Tuesday and charged him with operating a chop shop after initially investigating an active burning in his yard.
Late Tuesday, deputies were searching for Carroll, 25, in connection to a previous investigation when he was spotted driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee despite having three prior convictions for driving with a suspended or revoked license. When he arrived to his Berwyn Street home in New Port Richey, deputies made the arrest.
Investigators initially began investigating Carroll in October due to an active burn in his yard. Pasco County code enforcement members and deputies began searching the property and a stolen Kawasaki Mule was located. The Mule was partially dismantled and hidden beneath plywood. Carroll told deputies he was aware the Mule had been stolen and he was the one who took it apart. Also on the property were a number dismantled parts from several other vehicles.
Carroll is charged with habitual driving with a suspended or revoked license, owning or operating a chop shop, grand theft of a motor vehicle, and felony violation of probation. He remains in the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center with no bond.
