Crime ring steals $1.5 million in SUVs in Michigan

A crime ring stole over $1.5 million worth of Cadillac Escalade-Vs from a General Motors facility in Warren, Michigan. Deon Brooks, a 24-year-old man, has been arrested in connection with this theft. The stolen SUVs were brand new and were waiting to be shipped to dealerships or used as corporate loaner cars. Brooks is accused of changing the identification numbers of the stolen vehicles and selling them out of state. Police have not disclosed how much profit he made from these sales. During the investigation, authorities found several printers, equipment for changing vehicle identification numbers, fake Secretary of State documents, jewelry, methamphetamine, and a minivan. This is not Brooks' first run-in with the law. He is currently on bond for a separate incident involving the theft of a vehicle from a dealership last year. His next court hearing for that case is scheduled for April 8. In court, Brooks pleaded not guilty to charges related to his recent arrest. His bond was set at $2 million, and if he is released, he must wear a GPS device. A probable cause conference and a preliminary exam are set for March 20 and March 27, respectively. Investigators are still searching for other people involved in the crime ring. The rise in car thefts has been notable. Just recently, police in California uncovered another major operation stealing high-value vehicles.