Latest news with #DeonBrooks
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Yahoo
Over $1.5 Million In Cadillac Escalades Stolen From A Factory Storage Lot
Read the full story on The Auto Wire We've seen some pretty big heists out of factory storage lots, but a theft ring apparently snagged $1.5 million in Cadillac Escalades recently, which is shocking. So far, only one suspect has been arrested as authorities try to hunt down the other man, 24-year-old Deon Brooks, was recently arrested after the Macomb Auto Theft Squad started investigating the criminal organization back in December. He's been hit with a single felony charge of conducting a criminal enterprise, which can carry a 20-year prison sentence, reports Detroit Free Press. Through the investigation, authorities were able to track down at least some of the Escalades, which were the high-end V models, finding they had been sold to individuals outside of Michigan. Investigators concluded Brooks or someone else in the theft ring cloned VINs, replacing the original tags, to obscure the origin of the luxury SUVs. In other words, the people who bought the Cadillacs probably didn't know they were stolen. Sadly, those people will be out the vehicle and their money. The organization pocketed a huge profit on each sale. Considering the SUVs were brand new and MSRP starts at just over $90,000 it's not hard to imagine just how much money they made in no time. Factory storage lots have become like candy dispensers for car thieves in recent years. While automakers have upgraded security at many of the lots, thieves are always trying to find a way around those measures. After all, the financial incentive is huge. What's interesting about Brooks is he reportedly is already out on bond for another case where he allegedly took a car for a test drive and never returned it. In other words, the guy seemingly has a habit of stealing vehicles. Image via Cadillac Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Suspect Arrested in $1.5 Million Theft of Cadillac Escalades
A 24-year-old man was taken into custody recently after multiple Cadillac Escalade-Vs were stolen outside Detroit, authorities said. The man was identified as Deon Brooks, of Warren, Michigan, and he was being held on $2 million bond, according to the Detroit Free Press. Brooks was arrested after the Escalade-Vs—valued at around $1.5 million—were stolen from a GM lot in Warren, where they were stored before being shipped to dealers or customers. More from Robb Report Bugatti Just Made the New Tourbillon Hypercar Even Better This $10 Million Brooklyn Townhouse Blends Historic Charm with Bleeding-Edge Sustainability L.A. Reid Relists His Swanky Bel Air Mansion for a Discounted $17.5 Million The 682 horsepower Escalade-Vs start at $164,495 and are the high-performance variant of Cadillac's Escalade full-size luxury SUV. Escalade-V ESVs start at $3,000 more and are Cadillac's most expensive model, at least until the Celestiq, which is expected to cost around $340,000. Police think that Brooks ''retagged' the vehicles with cloned vehicle identification numbers and sold them out of state for a large profit,' according to the Free Press. Seized in the probe was also a list of possibly suspicious items, including methamphetamine, fake State Department documents, and a Chrysler Pacifica. The suspect was arrested on March 11. Car theft in Michigan is an enemy that automakers, owners, and residents have been accustomed to since the beginning of cars in Michigan, in part because of simply how many cars are manufactured there and left on lots waiting for shipment to customers or lots elsewhere. High-performance cars like the Escalade-V are especially in demand since they can fetch the biggest price. Auto theft in Michigan has also increased in recent years, with 28,404 cars stolen there in 2023, a 4.1 rise from the previous year, according to the state's attorney general. That number is also up 48.4 percent compared to five years ago, and Michigan authorities announced in February that they would be expanding a statewide task force to combat car crime. Authorities said that there would also be a dedicated prosecutor to 'pursue high-level auto theft rings operating in Metro Detroit.' Best of Robb Report The 2024 Chevy C8 Corvette: Everything We Know About the Powerful Mid-Engine Beast The World's Best Superyacht Shipyards The ABCs of Chartering a Yacht Click here to read the full article.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Yahoo
Crime Ring Stole Over $1.5 Million In Cadillac Escalade-Vs From GM Facility
One jamoke has been arrested for being part of a crime ring that stole a bunch of Cadillac Escalade-Vs from a General Motors lot in Warren, Michigan. Deon Brooks has been linked to several stolen Vs that police say are worth a combined $1.5 million. Considering the Escalade-V goes for between $160,000 and $180,000 a pop, Brooks and his (potential) buddies probably made off with between seven and 10 full-size SUVs. All of the stolen vehicles were brand new, according to the Detroit Free Press. They were awaiting shipment to dealerships or to spend their lives as corporate loaner cars, a spokesperson for the Macomb County Sheriff's Office told the outlet. Brooks would allegedly "retag" the vehicles with clone identification numbers and sell them out of state for a big profit. Police didn't say how much, though. During the investigation, police also seized several printers, retagging equipment, fugazi Secretary of State documents, jewelry, methamphetamine and — oddly enough — a Chrysler Pacifica minivan. Brooks is no stranger to the police. He's currently on bond in a different part of Michigan on charges regarding unlawful driving away from an automobile dealership in February of last year, Freep reports. His next hearing for that case is set for April 8, and I cannot imagine it will go well. Jalopnik Pro Tip: never commit a crime while also committing a separate crime. One at a time, please. Read more: You Can Buy A 400-HP V-Series Cadillac For Less Than A Honda Accord His bond was set at $2 million during his arraignment on March 19. He's charged with one count of conducting a criminal enterprise, which carries a 20-year sentence. The 24-year-old pleaded not guilty in court. His bond conditions include wearing a GPS tether if he is released from the country jail where he's currently being held. Brooks' probable cause conference is slated for sometime on March 20, and his preliminary exam is scheduled for March 27. Police are still looking for other suspects who might be linked to Brooks. It's not clear how many people that actually involved and where Brooks was in the pecking order of the operation. Stealing cars is apparently very big right now. Just a few days ago, we told you about how police in California busted a $3 million chop shop ring that was selling off broken-up Hellcats and Trackhawks. We've also told you about the rampant rise in catalytic converter thefts and — of course — the whole #KiaBoyz nightmare. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
CBS News
13-03-2025
- CBS News
Detroit-area man, 24, arrested in high-end auto thefts in Warren
A 24-year-old man from Warren, Michigan, was arrested for allegedly being involved in auto theft. Deon Brooks was charged with one count of conducting a criminal enterprise. Brooks was arraigned on Wednesday and is currently on bond for the same crime in February 2024. He received a $2 million cash/surety bond. According to the Macomb County Sheriff's Office, the Auto Theft Squad (M.A.T.S.) began investigating in December 2024 after high-end Cadillacs were reported stolen from the GM Corporate Lot in Warren. Investigators alleged that Brooks retagged the vehicles with cloned VIN numbers and sold them out of state for profit. The sheriff's office said the vehicles were valued at more than $1.5 million. Detectives seized printers, retagging equipment, fraudulent Secretary of State documents, methamphetamine, jewelry and a Chrysler Pacifica. The investigation is ongoing in other people possibly linked to Brooks.
