Law enforcement leaders believe that a scrap yard in Granite City was being used as the base of operations for a car theft ring.

Police last week raided Scrap Solutions at 5567 Dial Drive and allegedly found a 1997 Cadillac, a 2000 Lexus and a 2000 semi-trailer that are believed to be stolen. Police said they also found a load of fine china believed to be worth about $300,000.

Police have not yet made any arrests in connection with the raid. But they're optimistic that they soon will.

"The combined effort and outstanding police work of the agencies involved in this operation is yet another example of what can be accomplished when we pool our resources," Illinois State Police Director Hiram Grau said. "When criminal enterprises that finance these illegal operations are dismantled, we keep businesses, communities and innocent victims safe."

The investigation was conducted by the Illinois State Police Metro East Auto Theft Task Force, St. Louis City Police Anti-Crime Unit, St. Louis County Police Department, Madison County Sheriff's Department and the Granite City Police Department.