(WWJ) Four people are behind bars, and $320,000 worth of high-end vehicles have been recovered, after a dramatic smash-and-grab at an Oakland County dealership.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff's office, "brazen" thieves drove through a glass wall at Szott Dodge in Highland Township on Wednesday — getting away the following vehicles:
• A white 2021 Dodge Durango Hellcat SRT
• A black 2021 Dodge Durango GT
• A black 2021 Dodge Ram TRX
• A black 2017 Dodge Charger Hellcat SRT
Later that day, four suspects were arrested after crashing the stolen Durango Hellcat into a brick wall in Birmingham, while being chased by deputies.
It is not believed that this is the group that stole the the car, however. The sheriff's office said the suspects paid the thieves who took it $5,000 for the vehicle that is worth more than $100,000.
Two of the passengers in the Durango were wearing ski masks, which covered their entire faces except for their eyes, and were carrying nearly $6,000 as well as a loaded semi-automatic handgun, officials said.
Three men – ages 32, 20, and 19 – were arrested without incident and are being held in the Oakland County Jail. The fourth suspect, a 15-year-old juvenile identified as the younger brother of one of the men, was arrested and is being held in Oakland County Children's Village.
The other vehicles were recovered in Detroit and Livonia with help from the Detroit Commercial Auto Theft, White Lake Township police, Birmingham police and Livonia police.
Oakland County Sheriff
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said investigators believe these suspects may also have been involved in several recent smash-and-grabs brain-ins at gas stations in the area.
"This was great cooperative police work that resulted in the apprehension of numerous individuals involved in what was clearly a commercial auto theft ring," said Bouchard, in a statement. "Additionally, the fact that they carried weapons during the commission of their crime shows their willingness to be violent if cornered. I am very proud of the detective's work and I'm glad these individuals are off the street."
The suspects' names have not been released, as they await charges.
Officials said those responsible for actually stealing the cars are still at large.
Anyone with information about the thefts or those responsible is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. A reward of up to $1,000 is offered for information leading to an arrest.
