Teen Arrested After Series of Vehicle Thefts and Break-Ins in Oakland County
OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – A young teenager is in custody following several vehicle thefts and business break-ins over the weekend in Pontiac and Waterford Township.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) initiated an investigation Sunday afternoon after responding to a break-in at a used car dealership on Cesar Chavez Avenue. Deputies discovered forced entry, a heavily damaged Dodge Charger, and a stolen Dodge Dart.
Detectives from the Auto Theft Task Force connected this incident to two vehicles stolen from a Pontiac landscaping company earlier that weekend:
- Saturday, Sept. 19: A Chevrolet pickup truck was stolen and used to ram through a fenced parking lot.
- The following day, a Dodge Ram was taken from the same property and subsequently driven to the dealership on Cesar Chavez Avenue.
Surveillance footage revealed a suspect climbing a fence, shattering a window with a rock, and stealing multiple sets of vehicle keys. The suspect attempted to use the stolen Dodge Charger to ram through a gate but abandoned it after it became disabled.
The theft spree continued with the stolen Dodge Dart, which was used to ram another gate at a dealership in Waterford Township. Upon arrival, detectives confirmed that no one remained inside the business despite a broken window.
Further investigations led to a retail fraud incident at a nearby dollar store, where two vehicles were damaged during unsuccessful theft attempts.
Through the review of surveillance video, authorities identified a 13-year-old boy from Pontiac as the prime suspect. The juvenile, who has faced vehicle theft charges twice previously this year, was apprehended less than 24 hours after the investigation began. A search warrant executed at his home resulted in the recovery of clothing believed to have been worn during the crimes.
The teen is currently held at Oakland County Children’s Village and could face up to 16 charges. The case has been forwarded to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office for further review.
