An investigation into a storage unit burglary led Huntsville police to discover a "chop shop" was being operated at Whiplash Kustoms, a business on Washington Street.

Owner Eric Shea Lambert, 36, is wanted on a Class B felony warrant for first-degree receiving stolen property, police announced during a news conference this morning.

Stolen vehicles were being stripped at the business at 2494 Washington St., then the parts were sold, police said.

The FBI is expected to be involved in the investigation, as some of the parts were sold out of state, according to investigators in the HPD burglary unit.

Police discovered the "chop shop" after surveillance footage from a storage unit break-in and motorcycle theft led them to Lambert and the business, said Lt. Stacy Bates, HPD's public information officer.

A subsequent search of the business turned up several stolen motorcycles, a Mustang reported stolen in Georgia, a Dodge Ram 1500 truck that was taken from a Huntsville dealership and several other stolen items, Bates said.

The Mustang already had been stripped, and the truck was being stripped when investigators arrived with a warrant, Bates said.

The shop remained open today, but investigators are working with city officials to determine if the business license can be revoked. It's unclear whether employees at the shop knew the vehicles were stolen.

Lambert

Lambert is described as a "multi-talented criminal," with many years of contact with police in his past, investigators said. He is between 5 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 10 inches, about 170 pounds and has curly brown hair.

Anyone who sees Lambert or knows of his whereabouts should call HPD at 256-722-7100.

The shop is believed to have operated for a year or longer, police said.

Some of the stolen items, including the Dodge truck, have been returned to their owners. But, it's not clear how many other theft victims there may be. Anyone who suspects he or she may have been the victim of a theft associated with this case should contact the burglary unit at HPD.