Suspected Car Thieves Lead Royal Oak Police On A Chase

ROYAL OAK, MI — A pair of suspected car thieves were arrested by Royal Oak police on Jan. 5, according to a press release. 17-year-old Destin La-Roy Hollis of Madison Heights and a juvenile from Detroit were charged in connection with the crimes.

On Jan. 4 at about 4:13 a.m., Royal Oak Officers noticed a Chevrolet Cruz and Ford Escape traveling together and speeding in the vicinity of Helene and Lincoln. When officers caught up to them, the two vehicles went in different directions and officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the Cruz. Police pursued the Cruz into Madison Heights, when suddenly Hollis and his passenger hopped out of the vehicle and took off on foot.

Hollis was quickly caught by Royal Oak police and the juvenile passenger was apprehended shortly after by officers from Royal Oak and Madison Heights. Police determined that the Cruz was recently stolen from the 1200 block of Bauman in Royal Oak. Later, police found the Ford Escape behind a business in Madison Heights - and police report this SUV also was stolen from Royal Oak. The driver of the Ford Escape remains at large.

Police believe the suspects are also linked with a rash of reported car break-ins in the 1000 block of Bauman. These incidents are under investigation.

Hollis was arraigned in the 44th District Court on Jan. 6 on one count of Unlawful Driving Away an Automobile and one count of Fleeing & Eluding Police – Third Degree. Both felony charges come with a potential five year prison sentence. Hollis was also charged with No Operators License Ever Acquired, a misdemeanor which carries a term of up to 93 days in jail and/or a $500.00 fine. He does not have any prior convictions. His bond was set at $25,000 cash/surety no 10% and he is due back in court on Jan. 13 at 9:00 a.m.

The teenage passenger was charged as a juvenile.

If you have any information about these crimes, please call the Royal Oak Police at 248-246-3500 or Officer Dan Pelletier with the Oakland County Curtail Auto-theft Team at 248-837-2766.

Photo courtesy of the Royal Oak police