- Authorities say two suspects targeted Dodge dealerships across three Michigan counties.
- Both men face felony charges related to the thefts, carrying sentences of up to 30 years.
- Car thefts in Michigan rose by 56% from 2019 to 2023, leading to new preventative measures.
Car theft rings are nothing new, but the latest operation busted in Detroit took things to another level. Police have arrested two men linked to a scheme that spanned Macomb, Oakland, and Genesee counties. The suspects, David Franklin and Barron Hatcher Jr., seemed to have a particular taste for the Dodge Durango, allegedly making off with no fewer than 25 of them.
Authorities began investigating the thefts in November 2024, suspecting Franklin and Hatcher Jr. of targeting Dodge dealerships and stealing multiple Durangos at once using a key programming device called an AutoProPad. The investigation led to the arrest of 24-year-old Barron Hatcher Jr. on January 30 in Farmington Hills. Meanwhile, 41-year-old David Franklin was apprehended in Houston, Texas, before being extradited to Michigan.
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Both men have been charged with possession of burglary tools and conducting a criminal enterprise, two felonies that carry a combined maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. Hatcher Jr.’s bond was posted at $500,000, while Franklin’s is $1 million. In the unlikely event that either can post bond, they’ll be required to wear a GPS tether to track their movements.
According to the Detroit News, the thefts reportedly occurred between June and November of last year, with several of the stolen Dodge SUVs now recovered.
Rising Vehicle Thefts in Michigan
Michigan is grappling with a surge in vehicle thefts. Between 2019 and 2023, car thefts increased by 56%, prompting the state’s Attorney General’s Office to expand an auto insurance fraud task force to also target stolen vehicles. Authorities hope this move will help curb the growing problem.
