by Large-Scale Theft of Stellantis Cars in Detroit
An incident involving the theft of vehicles from the premises of a major automaker has become another brazen crime in Detroit. At the beginning of the week, nearly a dozen cars were stolen from a Stellantis lot located near the Detroit Assembly Complex Jefferson plant. The thieves rammed through the fence and fled, leaving behind damaged fencing.
Incident Details and Company Response
Stellantis confirmed the theft of several Ram, Jeep, and Dodge models from a lot at the corner of Conner Street and Mack Avenue around three o’clock in the morning. This lot is managed by a third-party company. The full list of stolen vehicles has not been disclosed, but it is known that among the Dodge models, all were new Durangos.
It is reported that one of the stolen Durango SUVs got stuck in deep snow nearby and was abandoned by the thieves. This became an ironic epilogue to an otherwise routine crime.
Stellantis is cooperating with the Detroit Police Department regarding the theft of several vehicles from a third-party-managed lot near Detroit Assembly Complex – Jefferson. As the investigation is ongoing, the Company is not providing any additional details regarding this incident.
Testimonies from Local Residents and Security Issues
Residents of the area point to systemic security problems. One of them, Nirmardjat Singh, stated that thefts in this area happen constantly and called on the police to take action. Another resident, Setris Thermon, believes that given the situation, security on the premises should be increased.
Unknown Details and Prospects for Vehicle Recovery
It remains unclear exactly how the thieves gained access to the cars and were able to start them, specifically whether they found the key storage location. The question of locating the stolen vehicles also remains open. If the cars were not equipped with GPS tracking systems, which is unlikely for vehicles in storage, their detection could be difficult. If they are not quickly exported abroad, they may appear on local illegal markets for sale or for parting out.
Such incidents point to a broader problem of organized crime targeting the automotive industry in the region. They raise questions not only about the physical security of facilities but also about the logistics of storing and accounting for keys to new cars. The effectiveness of security measures at contractor-managed lots often proves insufficient, making them easy targets. Police and companies face a complex task, as the speed with which stolen cars can be transported or dismantled significantly complicates the investigation. This situation also affects insurance rates and the overall costs for manufacturers, which may ultimately impact the final cost of products for consumers.
