The Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's auto-theft task force recovered a 1949 Ford "Shoebox" hot rod after the owner spotted parts from his stolen vehicle on Craigslist.

Deputies posing as potential buyers arrested two suspects at a home in Woodland Hills. The vehicle was stolen May 27 from a home in the Woodland Hills area.

After the hot rod was stolen, the victim's wife posted pictures of the vehicle at the Jalopy Journal forum and asked for any leads. The owner spend five months of research and became suspicious when he found similar vehicle parts offered for sale on Craigslist. The victim posed as an interested buyer and arranged a meeting with the suspect, where he confirmed the parts were from his stolen vehicle.

He then alerted detectives from the LASD's Taskforce for Regional Autotheft Prevention (T.R.A.P.). Investigating T.R.A.P. detectives met the suspect at his home in the 5300 block of Alhama Drive.

They were able to recover most of the Shoebox parts, including the frame, which had been removed from the vehicle. Additionally, a stolen Honda CR125 dirt bike motorcycle, was recovered at the location. The motorcycle was stolen in May from the Lost Hills area.

Johann Cass, 30, and Mitchell Landau, 34, were arrested for operating a chop shop and are being held on $25,000 bail.

By Paul Clinton