A.R.S. tit. 13 ch. 43 — Arizona Revised Statutes Title 13 Chapter 43 — Motor Vehicle Chop Shops

13-4701. Definitions In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. "Chop shop" means any building, lot or other premises in which one or more persons alters, destroys, disassembles, dismantles, reassembles or stores at least one motor vehicle or watercraft or two or more motor vehicle or watercraft parts from at least one vehicle or watercraft that the person or persons knows were obtained by theft, fraud or conspiracy to defraud with the intent to: (a) Alter, counterfeit, deface, destroy, disguise, falsify, forge, obliterate or remove the identity of the motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts, including the vehicle identification number for the purpose of misrepresenting or preventing the identification of the motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts. (b) Sell or dispose of the motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts. 2. "Motor vehicle" means any self-propelled vehicle. 3. "Unidentifiable" means that specially trained investigative personnel who are experienced in motor vehicle theft investigative procedures and motor vehicle identification examination techniques cannot establish the uniqueness of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part. 4. "Vehicle identification number" means the number that the manufacturer or the United States or a state department of transportation assigns to a motor vehicle for the purpose of identifying the motor vehicle or a major component part of the motor vehicle. Vehicle identification number includes any combination of numbers or letters. 5. "Watercraft" has the same meaning as prescribed in section 5-301. 13-4702. Conducting a chop shop; exception; violation; classification A. A person shall not knowingly: 1. Own or operate a chop shop. 2. Transport a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part to or from a chop shop. 3. Sell or transfer to or purchase or receive from a chop shop a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part. 4. Remove, destroy, deface or otherwise alter a vehicle identification number with the intent to misrepresent or prevent the identification of the motor vehicle or motor vehicle part. 5. Buy, sell, transfer or possess a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part knowing that the motor vehicle identification number, which was placed on the motor vehicle or motor vehicle part by the manufacturer, has been removed, destroyed, defaced or otherwise altered. B. This section does not apply to law enforcement authorities and lawful owners acting in good faith, towing companies or scrap processors, licensed automotive recyclers and other businesses acting in good faith and in the normal course of business and in conformance with all applicable laws. C. A person who violates subsection A, paragraph 1 of this section is guilty of a class 2 felony. A person who violates subsection A, paragraph 2, 3, 4 or 5 of this section is guilty of a class 4 felony. 13-4703. Forfeiture and disposition of motor vehicle, motor vehicle part, property and evidence A. The following items used or intended for use in violation of section 13-4702 are subject to seizure and forfeiture pursuant to chapter 39 of this title: 1. A motor vehicle or motor vehicle part. 2. Any tool, instrument or other implement. 3. Real property. B. The following property is subject to seizure and forfeiture pursuant to chapter 39 of this title: 1. All proceeds traceable to an offense that is included in section 13-4702 and is committed for financial gain. 2. All proceeds seized in this state and traceable to an offense that is chargeable or indictable under the laws of the state in which the offense occurred and if the offense occurred in a state other than this state would be chargeable or indictable under section 13-4702 if the offense occurred in this state and is committed for financial gain.