Auto thieves are continuing to be an issue at several automotive manufacturing plants and holding lots across the Metro Detroit area. Over the past several years, there have been a shocking amount of thefts of Dodge, Jeep®, Ram vehicles from Stellantis owned lots as the vehicles await to be shipped to dealers.
Over the past month, 17 high-end vehicles have been stolen from Chrysler-owned lots. This includes the Detroit Assembly Complex – Jefferson (DACJ), the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP), a lot near the company’s Auburn Hills headquarters, and a holding lot north of Detroit in Shelby Township. It appears that thieves are targeting high-end vehicles, within the automaker’s facilities with security being present on-site.
According to the Metro Detroit News (MDN) Instagram page…
- (4) Ram Trucks and (1) Jeep Wagoneer were stolen from a holding lot in Shelby Township, Michigan, a suburb north of Detroit.
- (2) Charger SRT Hellcats and (1) Durango SRT Hellcat were stolen from a lot near the company’s Auburn Hills Headquarters.
- (1) Grand Cherokee Trackhawk was stolen from DACJ facility, only to return a few days later to aid in stealing (1) Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat
- The SHAP facility has been hit twice in the past month. (3) Ram 1500 TRX models were stolen in February from a holding lot on the property, while (4) more TRX models were taken this month. One of those trucks was crashed into a semi-truck near the property, and the thief was picked up by another thief in one of the other stolen TRXs after the crash.
It is well-known that Stellantis and other automakers leave keys to the recently build vehicles, inside of them as they await delivery. The process makes it easy for thieves to walk up, get in, and start up the vehicles after they gain access to the property they are being held on.
Previous thefts have had thieves using at least one of the vehicles that they have stolen, crash through the security gates as they exit the holding lots.
Stellantis released the following statement about the situation…
“Stellantis is working with the Sterling Heights Police Department regarding the theft of several vehicles early Tuesday morning (March 15th) from a shipping yard that services the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant managed by a third party. As this is an open investigation, the Company is not commenting any further on what vehicles were stolen or how they were stolen.”
Currently, there is no known connection between the thefts. The Sterling Heights Police Department and Macomb County Auto Theft Task Force are currently investigating the thefts. Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to contact the Crime Stoppers Alliance toll-free at 1-800-SPEAKUP.
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