DETROIT (AP) — A five-year Detroit police veteran has been charged with conspiracy to operate a chop shop and receiving and concealing a stolen vehicle. Devon Payton has been suspended without pay.
Officers with the department's commercial auto theft unit received information in April that stolen vehicles were being stripped at a business on Detroit's northwest side. During an inspection at the business, Payton identified himself as a police officer. Officials also said Payton told investigators he worked at the business, which was owned by his family.