4 Charged In Connection With Hundreds Of Car Thefts Across SE MI: AG

MICHIGAN — Four Detroit men have been arrested in connection with an auto theft ring responsible for hundreds of car thefts across southeastern Michigan, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Tuesday.

Davonta Jones, 31, Donovan Tucker, 22, Davion Tucker, 21 and Timothy Bell, 23, were each charged with conducting a criminal enterprise, which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. They were each also charged with between seven and 10 counts of receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle.

They were each placed in jail with a bond set at $500,000. Their next court date is scheduled for Jan. 17.

Officials said the men targeted new vehicle storage lots, car dealerships, parking lots and individual residences. They used counter-surveillance to steal vehicles quickly and efficiently, and used violence, such as ramming security vehicles if confronted, according to officials.

The group then sold the stolen vehicles significantly below market value on the black market to buyers seeking unregistered vehicles, according to officials.

Some of the stolen vehicles have been linked to other criminal activity, according to officials.

The arrests and charges come nearly eight months after six other suspects were charged in the investigation. At the time, Nessel’s office said more than 400 vehicles were involved, worth an estimated $8 million.

The investigation, which is ongoing, has been aided by the efforts of local police agencies, including the municipal police departments of Auburn Hills, Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Canton, Dearborn, Detroit, Eastpointe, Farmington Hills, Lansing, Livonia, Novi, Roseville, Royal Oak, Southfield, Sterling Heights, Walled Lake, and Warren, as well as the Oakland County Auto Theft Group and Macomb County Auto Theft Unit.

"With these charges, we are one step closer to dismantling an active, violent, and prolific criminal organization responsible for the thefts of hundreds of vehicles across our state," Nessel said. "I’d like to thank the prosecutors from my FORCE Team and all our law enforcement partners. Their tireless efforts over the past year have been instrumental in combatting auto thefts and protecting our communities."