A tip regarding an illegal operation netted five arrests in connection with a Port Angeles “chop shop” for stolen vehicles.

At about 4:15 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, Clallam County Detective Shaun Minks and Deputy Paul Federline received information regarding a Toyota pickup that was being sanded down apparently to be repainted in a barn near Roundtree Road, just off Monroe Road east of Port Angeles. The location is known for past criminal activity, Clallam County Sheriff’s Office representatives said.

Minks and Federline found several people and vehicles at the property. After getting permission from the property owner to conduct a search, they found a 1988 Toyota pickup truck that had been stolen from the Port Angeles area, and a pile of parts from a dismantled 1996 Honda Accord that had been stolen from the Sequim area.

Four people who were transients or otherwise resided at the residence were found to have outstanding local warrants for their arrests. Those arrested included Cory Stokes, 30; Brian Mackey, 46; Rhiannon Mackey, 24, and Donald Christiansen, 34.

A fifth person of interest, 35-year-old Clinton King, fled the scene on foot when deputies arrived, but was arrested without incident when Minks, Federline and Deputy Michael Backes returned to the barn early Sunday morning with a search warrant for King’s arrest. King was found with a small quantity of suspected methamphetamine on him, law officials said.

King was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), in addition to a local arrest warrant and a Benton County arrest warrant.

King recently was convicted in a jury trial for being a felon in possession of a (stolen) firearm in the Clallam County Superior Court and was out awaiting sentencing.

The pickup was recovered and returned to the owner.

The investigation is continuing and charges are being forwarded to the Clallam County Prosecutor’s Office.