BUSTED: $200K Luxury Car Theft Ring in Mid-Michigan

There are people who collect baseball cards, others collect stamps, or something similar. Well, Mid-Michigan police agencies allege that seven suspects seem to prefer collecting high-end stolen cars.

The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office, along with a small army of Michigan law enforcement agencies, believes they've unraveled a multi-town luxury auto theft and parts ring worth about $200,000.

From Suspicious Vehicle to Major Bust

It all kicked off on August 9, when deputies in Sheridan spotted a suspicious vehicle. One awkward conversation later, they discovered it was stolen. Then—plot twist—another stolen vehicle from the same owner was parked right there, too.

A press release from the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office reveals that deputies ended up at the victim's Marengo home, where they uncovered evidence of a break-in and learned two more cars had been swiped earlier in the week. One was found in Sheridan township, the other in Albion, where police snagged a different driver for a chat.

A Laundry List of Charges

After connecting the dots and searching in Parma and Springport in Jackson County, charges started to add up. They range from Breaking and Entering, Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property, Operating a Chop Shop, VIN tampering, and, my personal favorite, Larceny of Power. Because yes, electricity theft is part of this crime ring.

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Seven Suspects, Ongoing Case

In all, seven arrest warrants are pending, and the case is still active. If you know anything—or someone tries to sell you a suspiciously affordable luxury car—call Detective Pignataro at 269-781-0880, or you can give your tip anonymously at calhounmi911.gov.