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A criminal saga full of grim themes—murder, attempted murder, armed robberies, carjackings, high-speed chases, and countersurveillance—might seem like a plot from a gripping Netflix series. However, this tale unfolded in Oakland County, Michigan, where an $8-million auto theft ring was apprehended. This region is notable for being home to major car manufacturers like Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler.
The alleged auto theft ring, which is yet to be proven guilty in a court of law, operated across more than 40 locales in Southeast Michigan, including Macomb, Wayne, and Washtenaw counties, and extended as far as Eaton and Kent counties. For those unfamiliar with the area, Wayne County is home to major players in the automotive industry, like Ford in Dearborn and General Motors in Detroit.
In a remarkable law enforcement effort, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, in collaboration with over 200 officers from more than a dozen state, federal, and local agencies, arrested a group of young men involved in this operation. Six arrests were made out of eight warrants that were executed, with five of the suspects being in their 20s and one as young as 18.
The investigation kicked off in August under the direction of the Troy Police Department. As officials recognized the extensive nature of the criminal group, a specialized task force called the FORCE Team was established in early 2024. This team, formed by the Michigan Attorney General’s office, is a partnership between the Organized Retail Crime (ORC) Unit and the Michigan State Police, created in January 2023. Local police departments and dedicated auto theft units also contributed to the investigation.
The Attorney General’s office reported that over 400 vehicles had been stolen and sold at drastically reduced prices on the black market, appealing to individuals seeking unregistered cars. These stolen vehicles are suspected to be connected to other serious crimes. The auto theft ring targeted new cars in original equipment manufacturer (OEM) storage areas, car dealerships, parking lots, and even private residences. The suspects reportedly fired at police officers, employed evasive maneuvers, and possibly used counter-surveillance techniques to facilitate swift vehicle thefts.
The operation concluded on May 15, with the six suspects in custody facing charges of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise and Using a Computer to Commit a Crime, both of which carry a 20-year prison sentence. The Michigan Attorney General and the State Police Fugitive Team are still searching for the two remaining suspects. No future court dates have been set, and the investigation continues, with the possibility of more arrests ahead.
For more coverage, Detroit’s ABC 7 station, WXYZ, has shared footage from a press briefing held by the Troy Police Department, which can be viewed here.
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