Thieves struck a Michigan city this past week in a coordinated spree of automotive piracy, leaving a trail of shattered glass and steering column casualties. Specifically, Chevrolet Malibus parked along Royal Oak streets were stripped of their steering wheels, all for the high-value airbags contained within. Four such incidents occurred within a mere two-and-a-half-hour window, the Royal Oak police department reported. The cars were all violated between the hours of 8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. on March 20, according to FOX 2 Detroit.

In three out of four cases, the perpetrator, or perpetrators, committed the same calculated intrusion — smashing the driver's side window to gain access. This rash of thefts was no isolated incident, rather it is part of a larger trend plaguing Metro Detroit, where the demand for illicit airbag sales motivates such crimes, Royal Oak Tribune highlighted the ongoing issue.

Your Chevrolet Malibu may not be as safe as you think – thieves have been targeting this specific make for its valuable airbag component, fetching a handsome sum on the black market. The thefts took place at a range of locales throughout Royal Oak: the 29000 block of Woodward Avenue, the 100 block of Tiffany Lane, the 4300 block of Tonawanda Avenue, and the 100 block of Allenhurst. Police surmise these thefts are interconnected and are actively seeking out witnesses or surveillance footage that could shine a light on the perpetrators, said Patch.

While the search for video evidence has so far borne no fruit, one of the pillaged vehicles has given up a different kind of clue: a DNA sample. This biological evidence could potentially act as a breadcrumb trail leading back to the criminal, or group of criminals, responsible for these brazen thefts. As the investigation unfolds, Royal Oak Police have asked anyone with information to step forward, and those who do have details to share can reach out to the station at 248-246-3500, as they told Patch.