by Police in Macomb County, Detroit, have detained a 24-year-old man on suspicion of stealing cars worth up to $1.5 million from GM’s corporate lot. This isn’t the first time Deon Brooks has come to the attention of law enforcement, as he’s also being pursued on suspicion of stealing a car from a Chevrolet dealership and fleeing from police in early 2024. Apparently, he couldn’t resist the allure of a new GM car.
In April, Brooks was granted bail set at $2 million, but should he be released, he will have to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet.
Brooks was arrested on March 11 of this year following an in-depth investigation led by Macomb’s Auto Theft Task Force, Warren police, and the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office. Local authorities launched the investigation in December 2024 after Brooks disappeared with several cars from a GM dealer’s lot.
Reportedly, these cars were either brand new corporate utility vehicles or awaiting delivery to dealerships when they were stolen by Brooks. It’s also noted that the thief stole high-end Escalade V models. However, it wasn’t reported whether he took other vehicles for their combined value to total $1.5 million. Prices for the Escalade V in the USA start at $159,995.
Brooks appeared in court this month, where he pleaded not guilty to criminal activities that carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. His bail was set at $2 million, but even if he posts it, he will have to wear a GPS monitor if he is released from jail.
Thefts and Sales
The police claim the man was reselling stolen cars by reinstalling cloned VIN numbers. They confiscated from him printers, re-plating equipment, fraudulent documents from the state vehicle agency, jewelry, a Chrysler Pacifica, and methamphetamine.
As mentioned, this isn’t Brooks’ first brush with the law. He was arrested on February 29, 2024, after stealing a car from the Heidebreicht Chevrolet dealership and fleeing from police. The officers disabled the vehicle using a spike strip, and Brooks attempted to flee on foot before being captured.
He’s also accused of stealing cars from Serra Cadillac. He’s charged with criminal activities related to these thefts, as well as unlawful use of a motor vehicle and three counts of accessory to illegal use of a vehicle.
