Grosse Pointe Woods Police Investigate Series of Vehicle Break-Ins

police believe one person or a group of people are likely responsible for a series of vehicle break-ins that began late last week and continued throughout the weekend. 

The thieves seem to be targeting high-end vehicles with factory-installed navigation systems, although one portable GPS and a purse were stolen during the spree. Woods Detective Anthony Chalut said he believes it's one person or a group of people working together.

"This is targeted. The selected item (has) a large resale value," Chalut said. "That's why they are stealing (navigation systems)."

According to police reports, the spree began May 10 in the 19400 block of Mack Avenue in which the passenger side window of a 2008 Jeep Commander was broken and a navigation system was pried from the dashboard. The Jeep's owner said she had been out to her vehicle around 12 p.m. and then discovered the damage about 1 p.m.

The spree continued May 12 through 15.  

A Chrysler 300 parked in a driveway in the 1500 block of Newcastle Road had the passenger side window smashed out and a navigation system was taken out of the dashboard. The 59-year-old owner said the car was locked but the alarm did not sound and he did not hear anything out of the ordinary. 

The owner of a Chrysler minivan parked in a driveway in the 1600 block of Broadstone was damaged between May 12 and 13. The owner discovered the damage early May 13 but nothing was stolen. The owner told officers she believes a navigation system may have been the thief's target but was likely interrupted and scared off.

On May 13 between 6:56 and 7:39 p.m. another minivan was broken into in the parking lot of Grosse Pointe North High School during a sporting event. The vehicle's owner told officers the sliding door window was smashed out and her purse containing five credit cards, $20 and prescription glasses was stolen. 

On Sunday three car break-ins were reported: in the 800 block of Vernier Road, the 19800 block of Mack Avenue and near Huntington Boulevard near Mack Avenue. Two of the vehicles were GMC Yukons and the other was a Chrysler 300. 

One of the Yukons had been parked in a metered parking spot on Huntington Boulevard as the owner and his family ate in a nearby diner. The owner entered the diner about 1 p.m. and then came back outside about 1:30 p.m. The window appeared to have been carefully broken in a pressure manner to reduce noise versus using a large object to break it. The cables and cords of the navigation system appeared to have been carefully taken apart, according to a police report.

In another case, a resident in the 1200 block of Hampton Road found a portable GPS stolen from the glove box of his car, which was parked in his driveway. His car was unlocked and the crime happened overnight between May 14 to 15. The owner heard some noise about 5:30 a.m. May 15 but did not see anyone. He also found that a side door to his home was ajar. Nothing else was reported stolen.

Chalut said the evidence thus far suggests the person or people behind the crimes know what they are doing, noting the timing of the crimes—many of which were during the daytime and in busier areas.

Although there are no suspects yet, Chalut said at least partial fingerprints were gathered from some of the scenes and officers are working to determine to whom they belong. While they appear to be targeting navigation systems, they are not likely to pass up other incidental finds, such as the purse, he said.

Officials from the other Grosse Pointe police departments said they have not experienced the same spike as the Woods. One vehicle theft and one attempted theft are under investigation in the Park but break-ins have not been reported recently, Sgt. James Vogler said. 

Vogler, who heads up the ACTION team, Arrest Car Thieves In Our Neighborhood, said break-ins such as these ebb and flow. Typically they spike when there is suddenly a renewed demand on the streets for a particular product, he said. 

"It seems to come in waves," he said, noting a person or group will be arrested and then upon their release, the thefts start again.

Many times, the thieves will steal the vehicle and then strip not only the navigation system but also the wheels to resell on the street, Vogler said. 

"Some are pretty bold and can do it pretty fast," he said. 

The navigation systems will sell for about $40 to $60 on the street, he said.

Most are valued at thousands but insurance companies often replace stolen systems with refurbished versions—making the sale of these stolen systems tempting to businesses who specialize in installation. Many times the installation businesses are buying the systems at a very reduced price from what they believe to be a legitimate business, Vogler said. Or sometimes they might be saving so much on the purchase as compared with the price the insurance company is paying, they simply choose not to determine whether a system is stolen, he said.

Earlier this year, a group of people targeted high-end vehicles in Grosse Pointe Shores and a small area of Grosse Pointe Woods. In those cases, they were breaking the sunroof to enter and steal the navigation system. 

Anyone with information about the most recent rash of crimes is asked to call police with information: 313-343-2400.