Police located a yellow Mercedes panel van, stolen from Lewisham, in a yard on an industrial site in Motherwell Way, South Stifford this morning.
Also in the yard were a number of other stolen vehicles from the Metropolitan police area.
Essex Car Crime Squad were called to assist and have found a quantity of stolen engines and vehicle parts. Investigations are ongoing.
A 36 year old man from South Ockendon has been arrested on suspicion of theft of motor vehicle. He has been sent to a Metropolitan police station for questioning.