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Sex, Theft Claims Investigated After Chop Shop Raid

DENVER (CBS4) - Police and city inspectors in Denver recently converged on what they strongly believe is a chop shop on West Alameda. It's believed that illegal sex, drug use and the stripping of stolen vehicles vehicles took place there.

Douglas Rathbun, 41, was taken into custody while driving with a revoked license. He is already facing charges of drug distribution and vehicle theft.

Douglas Rathbun
Douglas Rathbun (credit: Denver Police)

A woman who identified herself as his wife claimed there's nothing illegal going on at the store called Denver Performance & Auto.

"They've taken all of our stuff and none of it is stolen," Michelle Vience told CBS4. "They have to bring it back. We're suing the hell out of them."

Last month police from the Metropolitan Auto Theft Task Force raided the building, located at Alameda and Lipan. SWAT team members were brought in out of concern there could be violence. Numerous vehicles were seized and cars and motorcycles were checked to determine if they were stolen.

Parts were found hidden on the roof.

Police are also investigating the claims in court documents of a woman whose statements indicate that young girls come to the shop for drugs and sex.

Rathbun so far has denied any wrongdoing on his part.

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