A 24-year-old man from Warren, Michigan, named Deon Brooks has been apprehended and charged with leading a car theft ring that specialized in high-end vehicles. The arrest, carried out by the combined efforts of Macomb Auto Theft Squad, the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office Enforcement Team, and the Warren Police Department, took place on Tuesday, as reported by clickondetroit. The alleged scheme involved the theft of Cadillacs from a General Motors lot in Warren, which were then retagged with cloned vehicle identification numbers and sold out of state.
According to CBS News Detroit, Brooks was charged with one count of conducting a criminal enterprise and was arraigned on Wednesday. Having been arrested while already out on bond for similar charges from February 2024, his bail has been set at an imposing $2 million cash/surety. He is accused of being linked to several vehicles stolen, cumulatively valued over $1.5 million.
Detectives began their investigation in December 2024 following the disappearance of multiple Cadillacs from the CVO Lot in Warren. "The stolen vehicles were brand new, awaiting shipment to dealerships or corporate loaner cars," Jennifer Putney, a spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Office, told Detroit Free Press. Brooks pleaded not guilty during his arraignment, despite the evidence that includes seized items like printers, fraudulent Secretary of State documents, and a Chrysler Pacifica.
The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office reports that, along with stolen vehicles and retagging equipment, methamphetamine and jewelry were seized during the arrest. Brooks is accused of retagging luxury cars with fake VIN numbers and selling them across state lines for a big profit, though the exact amount hasn't been revealed. If released from jail, his bond conditions include wearing a GPS tether, according to the Detroit Free Press.
The investigation is still ongoing, and authorities are looking into possible links to other suspects. Brooks is set for a probable cause hearing on March 20 and a preliminary exam on March 27. The auto theft ring may involve more people, and updates will be shared as the case progresses.
