A new security measure may offer a glimmer of hope for automakers in the Detroit area that have been the target of a large number of thefts in recent years. A new cable in the security fence at a Stellantis plant in Detroit stopped thieves this week who were attempting to steal two vehicles.
The attempted thefts occurred at Stellantis’ Jefferson North Assembly Plant, which makes the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Dodge Durango, and also has a test track on its grounds, reports Click On Detroit.
A witness to the incident told the outlet that thieves attempted to steal the vehicles at around 4:00 a.m. They tried to drive through a security fence at the perimeter of the property, but were caught by it.
Here’s when the tow truck began pulling the vehicles away from the crash site on the lift. The second vehicle appeared to be easier to get as it was just sitting on the incline.
But, the vehicle that crashed into the gate surround the plant appears to be entangled. @WWJ950 pic.twitter.com/jWPzzjWAQ7
— Ryan H. Marshall (@RyanHMarshall) December 6, 2022
Automakers in Detroit have been targeted a number of times in recent years, and it is not unusual for them to use one of the vehicles they steal to ram or drive through the automaker’s fences and other security measures. This time, though, the fence was reportedly reinforced with a steel cable that ended up catching the first SUV and, apparently, foiled the thieves.
Whether the people behind this attempted robbery got away is not clear, but the starting price of the Dodge Durango ranges from $38,495 to $70,295. Stellantis did not say how many attempted thefts there have been on its factory grounds this year, but previous reports have suggested that the value of vehicles stolen from other automakers’ Detroit area factories can be measured in millions of dollars.
Sadly, the people behind the thefts are, in some cases, reportedly taking advantage of children as young as 11, to steal vehicles. In August, three children were arrested for stealing Dodge Challengers and Chargers from a storage lot at Stellantis’ Jefferson North facility, which located on Detroit’s east side.