Santa Clara

Santa Clara Police Officer Arrested, Allegedly Operated Chop Shop

A Santa Clara police officer has been arrested on suspicion of operating a chop shop and possessing stolen property.

Investigators said Officer Tyson Green was trying to sell Chevy Camero parts on Craigslist when a suspicious customer turned him in. Investigators also claim Green was using a San Jose garage to stow more than $75,000 in car parts. The car parts were all tied to stolen vehicles, officials said.

Green, a resident of Los Gatos, is a 14-year veteran of the Santa Clara police force.

"I'm very surprised and I'm also in disbelief," neighbor Renee Bankston said of Green's arrest. "My interaction with them is that they have always been and continue to be a very nice family."

Santa Clara Police Chief Michael Sellers released the following statement Friday:

β€œIt was sad to learn that one of my officers, Tyson Green, a 14-year veteran was arrested. He was put on paid administrative leave when we learned he was under criminal investigation. This is not a true reflection of the hard-working men and women of this department serve and protect our community.”

Green is the third Santa Clara police officer arrested in the past year.

Last May, 24-year veteran Sgt. Thomas Leipelt was arrested for allegedly exposing himself to a store manager at Santana Row. Then in last July, a 24-year veteran officer was arrested after allegedly stealing a smart watch from a target store.

If convicted, Green faces more than five years in prison. The officer is being held on $50,000 bail.

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