WARREN (WWJ) - A massive task force spearheaded by the Warren Police Department brought down a theft ring they say is responsible for over a dozen break-ins across three counties in Metro Detroit.
Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer announced the arrests on Friday, Oct. 20, one day after they nabbed two individuals at the center of nearly a month-long investigation that began with two break-ins at tobacco/vape shops in Warren.
According to Dwyer, investigators combed through CCTV video and saw a white Dodge Ram arrive at the targeted businesses located off 8 and 9 Mile Roads in the early morning hours.
Police claim five suspects got out of the Dodge and forced their way into the stores and took various amounts of merchandise. They then fled the scene in the truck.
As they investigated, the Warren Police Special Operations Unit (SOU) along with the Warren Detective Bureau found out that the group of alleged thieves-- with the main suspect identified as an 18-year-old Detroit resident -- and the suspect vehicle involved in their case also matched those in breaking and entering crimes in Roseville, St. Clair Shores, Dearborn, Hazel Park, Hamtramck, Redford Township, and Grosse Pointe City.
"Warren investigators were able to collaborate with other law enforcement agencies to learn that this suspect and suspect vehicle had been victimizing businesses in the tri-county area throughout October," Dwyer said.
Investigators also found that in addition to committing business break-ins, the suspects and the Dodge Ram were also at the center of a recent non-fatal shooting in Detroit.
Members of the Warren Police Department, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, Dearborn Police Department, Shelby Township Police Department, Detroit Police Department, Roseville Police Department, St. Clair Shores Police Department, Redford Township Police Department, Hamtramck Police Department, and Hazel Park Police Department combined resources to locate the suspects.
As their investigation continued, Warren detectives identified the Dodge Ram as a recently stolen vehicle out of Shelby Township. They began to keep surveillance on the truck, with help from a multi-jurisdictional team, and eventually tracked the vehicle down on Thursday, Oct. 19.
"The Michigan State Police attempted to affect a traffic stop on the Dodge in Detroit with the Dodge fleeing from officers," Dwyer said in a press release. "Michigan State Police was able to disable the Dodge with two suspects fleeing from the vehicle on foot. Both suspects were quickly arrested without further incident by members of the Warren Police Department."
Officers executed search warrants on the suspect's homes where they found handguns, stolen merchandise, and other items linking the suspects to the break-ins.
The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office issued four felony charges against the main 18-year-old suspect. It is unclear what charges the other suspect --who was driving the Dodge -- will face.
Both individuals are expected to be arraigned on Friday while law enforcement seeks felony charges for the various crimes committed by this group in their cities.
Commissioner Dwyer praised the work of all taskforce officers involved in this case, stating their joint effort is a "testament to the hard work of all of the taskforce officers involved in this investigation."
"There is no doubt that many cities are safer now that this suspect is off the street," Dwyer continued. "This investigation is by no means over and I am confident that additional suspects will be arrested and charged for their involvement in these various incidents. The Warren Police Department will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and use any resources necessary to arrest all those involved in such crimes.”