(WWJ) Federal charges have been brought against two men accused of stealing cars from the parking lot of the Pontiac Silverdome.
A months-long investigation by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Auto Theft Unit and FBI led to case against 42-year old Romane Porter of Farmington Hills and 41-year old Daniel Onorati of Eastpointe.
According to an indictment unsealed Monday, the suspects in 2017 stole 61 Volkswagen and Audis from the vacant venue's lot, where they were being stored by Volkswagen.
Once in possession of the stolen vehicles, the indictment alleges, some were stored elsewhere while many were sold out-of-state.
“The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI have done an outstanding job of working together on this complex criminal case,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider. “We are fortunate to have such outstanding public servants on our law enforcement team."
Porter and Onorati are charged with conspiracy and sale or possession of stolen automobiles. Onorati was arraigned last week was released on an unsecured bond; while Porter awaits an arraignment on April 12.
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said in a statement that grateful for the partnership that brought this organized auto theft activity to a close.
"These individuals were bold in their behavior in stealing such a large volume of vehicles from a well-known location," he added, in a statement. "These criminals deserve to be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
Porter and Onorati each face up to 10 years in prison and/or $250,000 fine if convicted.
Following an emissions test cheating scandal, hundreds of repurchased diesel-powered VWs were stored outside the former home of the Detroit Lions — a peculiar sight to see since the lot had been mostly empty after it closed for good in 2013. The arena has since been demolished.