Chop shop operators get ahold of rare $250,000 car

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Thieves who stole and dismantled a $250,000 car in San Diego County won't be enjoying their loot for a long time.

U-T San Diego says the two men pleaded guilty Thursday to burglary, owning and operating a chop shop and receiving a stolen vehicle. They agreed to five-year prison terms and will be sentenced next month.

Authorities say Gabriel Castano and George Moore burglarized several local homes last year.

They stole a rare 2005 Ford GT from a Rancho Santa Fe home. The gutted car was found in a Vista warehouse and most of the parts were in a San Marcos storage unit.

Prosecutors say the men also stole two Porsches, a $5,000 Picasso lithograph and other items — many of which have been recovered.