Deputies attempting to serve an arrest warrant at a home in Johnson Valley ended up finding an illegal chop shop and arresting three people at the site. Deputies went to a home in the 52300 block of Cholla Road in Johnson Valley about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday to serve an warrant on Dennis Squires, 40, of Johnson Valley for defrauding an innkeeper in Orange County. When deputies arrived, they saw in plain sight a stolen Baja bug and sandrail that were in various stages of dismantling and repair, along with other stolen property from a 2017 burglary in Landers. Deputies could also see that the residents were stealing power by bypassing the electrical meter. Deputies got a search warrant and returned with the county’s auto theft taskforce and the owner of the stolen vehicle, who positively confirmed it and the other stolen property belonged to him. Southern California Edison employees estimated that the theft of electricity was valued at $35,000. Dennis Squires, 40, and Jordana McElroy, 40, both of Johnson Valley were arrested on suspicion of operating a chop shop and utility theft. They were booked into the Morongo Basin Jail. Bail for Dennis Squires was set at $85,000; Jordana McElroy was released about 11 p.m. Tuesday after posting $75,000 bail. A third person, Justin Long was arrested on suspicion of utility theft and on several misdemeanor warrants. Justin Long was booked into the Morongo Basin Jail, with his bail set at $175,000.
