Two Detroit men are accused of running an auto theft ring, allegedly stealing more than 25 Dodge Durangos from dealerships in Macomb, Oakland, and Genesee counties. The Macomb County Sheriff's Office identified the suspects as 41-year-old David Franklin and 24-year-old Barron Hatcher Jr. They face charges for conducting a criminal enterprise and possessing burglary tools, as reported by CBS News Detroit.
The investigation, which began in November 2024, linked the suspects to the thefts through the use of a ProPAD, a device that programs key fobs. The sheriff's office believes this device was used to steal multiple Durangos at once, as relayed by Audacy. Franklin's bond was set at $1 million, while Hatcher's was $500,000, with both required to wear GPS tethers upon release.
The investigation was a joint effort between several agencies, including the Macomb Auto Theft Squad (MATS), Oakland County Auto Theft Unit, Genesee Auto Theft Investigation Network, and Troy Special Investigations Unit, according to Macomb Daily. Authorities noted that the use of devices like the AutoProPad has contributed to a rise in auto thefts, leading to new laws that classify unauthorized possession or use of these tools as a criminal offense, with severe penalties.
Franklin was arrested in Houston on January 31 and extradited to Michigan, while Hatcher was arrested the day before in Farmington Hills. Both are currently in custody at the Macomb County Jail. Hatcher also has warrants for disorderly conduct in Dearborn, speeding in Taylor, driving with a suspended license in Oak Park, and third-degree retail fraud in Livonia, as noted by Macomb Daily. The investigation is ongoing, with possible additional arrests.
