Clovis Man Nabbed on Chop Shop Charges After Stolen Truck Discovery

CLOVIS, N.M. — A Clovis man is facing multiple felony charges after police uncovered a series of stolen vehicles and altered vehicle identification numbers at two separate locations in the city.

According to a press release from the Clovis Police Department, the investigation began on the morning of April 28, when detectives noticed a white Dodge Ram 2500 parked near a home at 523 Rencher Street. The truck’s license plate and VIN identified it as a 2019 Dodge Ram Big Horn edition, but the body style did not match.

Detectives approached the vehicle and spoke with Albert Mares, 57, who allowed them to inspect the truck. A secondary VIN on the car was returned as stolen from Bender Dodge in September 2024.

While at the scene, detectives also noticed a second truck on a lift at Marez Automotive Service, a shop at 316 West 6th Street. That truck’s license plate could not be verified, and its VINs appeared inconsistent. Based on these findings, search warrants were executed at the Rencher Street residence and the auto shop.

Three trucks were recovered, each with altered VINs but identifiable through secondary markings as reported stolen. All were registered to Mares. The estimated combined value of the recovered vehicles exceeded $200,000.

Further investigation revealed documentation from the New Mexico Department of Motor Vehicles that police say helped explain how the false VINs were obtained. Detectives also coordinated with the Castro County Sheriff's Office in Texas, where a fourth vehicle, found to be burned and stripped, was recovered. That truck, valued at approximately $50,000, was also linked to Mares.

Mares was arrested and booked into the Curry County Adult Detention Center. He is charged with one count of operating a chop shop, four counts of receiving or transferring stolen vehicles, four counts of VIN tampering, four counts of forgery, and two counts of conspiracy.

This investigation is ongoing.