Unity man accused of operating chop shop

A stolen motor that police say was sold to a driver in need of a car repair landed a Unity man in trouble with the law.

Windell S. Carroll, 46, is accused of charging the driver $3,000 for the motor that ended up not working. He was arraigned Tuesday on charges of theft, receiving stolen property and operating a chop shop.

Westmoreland County Detective Ray Dupilka wrote in court papers that the situation started in January after a broken down Kia Forte was towed to a shop in Unity. Carroll contacted the Kia owner and offered to sell him a motor from a similar car he had.

The driver paid Carroll a $1,000 deposit and the Kia Forte was towed to a shop in Derry Township for the work. But a mechanic told the driver that the motor Carroll sold him was inoperable.

State police later determined the motor Carroll provided was connected to a 2016 Kia Forte that was reported stolen in late 2023 from Peoples Road in Ligonier Township, according to court papers.

During an interview with police, Carroll said he buys and sells used or damaged vehicles and parts through a business he operates out of his home called Fast Cash. He claimed to have bought the inoperable motor for $800 but wasn’t able to provide any proof of the sale, according to court papers.

Carroll posted $25,000 bail Tuesday through a bail bondsman. He could not be reached and did not have an attorney listed in online court records. A July 3 preliminary hearing is set.

Fast Cash JW was established in 2022, according to state records.