This is very sad... 
Police bust 'kiddie crime wave' that targeted new Chrysler cars
Doug Guthrie / The Detroit News
DETROIT -- Authorities are seeking charges against eight juveniles and an 18-year-old for their part in what Wayne County Sheriff Warren Evans has described as a "kiddy crime wave."
Police from six agencies trapped the group Monday inside a new vehicle staging area at Chrysler's Jefferson North Plant. Undercover officers watching the lots said they spotted the group sneaking in and attempting to steal nine new vehicles with a value of more than $250,000.
A wild car chase on the carmaker's property damaged several vehicles and police cruisers. The children taken into custody were as young as 13.
"These individuals have been a kiddie crime wave at this facility and most likely elsewhere on the county's east side," Evans said in a statement released Tuesday. "I understand that one of the young suspects is so small that he only steals cars in which he knows he can reach the pedals."
The arrested juveniles include two 16-year-olds, two 15-year-olds, three 14-year olds, one 13-year-old and a pregnant 14-year-old girl.
This was the second bust in less than a week involving juveniles stealing cars from the Jefferson Plant. Four juveniles were arrested last week after allegedly stealing two Jeep Cherokees and a Chrysler Pacifica from the same plant, police said.
A multi-agency task force had been working with Chrysler Group Security to solve the recent thefts of new 2008 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles from a shipping-company lot at the automaker's plant on Jefferson Avenue on Detroit's east side.
More than 20 officers from Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe, Harper Woods, Eastpointe and the Wayne and Oakland county sheriff departments swarmed the property after being alerted about 10 p.m. Monday by an undercover surveillance team that the juveniles had entered the Cassens Transport Co. lot. Police said the youths were attempting to drive away with new cars --- five Dodge Avengers, two Dodge Chargers, a Jeep Commander and a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
"Business must work hand-in-hand with law enforcement to curb local crime and keep our neighborhoods safe," said Chris Hogan, senior manager of Chrysler Group Corporate Security in a statement issued Tuesday. "This operation was a great example of that teamwork. Chrysler Group provided some information, but the joint task force was very thorough and professional in following up on it."
Police bust 'kiddie crime wave' that targeted new Chrysler cars
Doug Guthrie / The Detroit News
DETROIT -- Authorities are seeking charges against eight juveniles and an 18-year-old for their part in what Wayne County Sheriff Warren Evans has described as a "kiddy crime wave."
Police from six agencies trapped the group Monday inside a new vehicle staging area at Chrysler's Jefferson North Plant. Undercover officers watching the lots said they spotted the group sneaking in and attempting to steal nine new vehicles with a value of more than $250,000.
A wild car chase on the carmaker's property damaged several vehicles and police cruisers. The children taken into custody were as young as 13.
"These individuals have been a kiddie crime wave at this facility and most likely elsewhere on the county's east side," Evans said in a statement released Tuesday. "I understand that one of the young suspects is so small that he only steals cars in which he knows he can reach the pedals."
The arrested juveniles include two 16-year-olds, two 15-year-olds, three 14-year olds, one 13-year-old and a pregnant 14-year-old girl.
This was the second bust in less than a week involving juveniles stealing cars from the Jefferson Plant. Four juveniles were arrested last week after allegedly stealing two Jeep Cherokees and a Chrysler Pacifica from the same plant, police said.
A multi-agency task force had been working with Chrysler Group Security to solve the recent thefts of new 2008 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles from a shipping-company lot at the automaker's plant on Jefferson Avenue on Detroit's east side.
More than 20 officers from Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe, Harper Woods, Eastpointe and the Wayne and Oakland county sheriff departments swarmed the property after being alerted about 10 p.m. Monday by an undercover surveillance team that the juveniles had entered the Cassens Transport Co. lot. Police said the youths were attempting to drive away with new cars --- five Dodge Avengers, two Dodge Chargers, a Jeep Commander and a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
"Business must work hand-in-hand with law enforcement to curb local crime and keep our neighborhoods safe," said Chris Hogan, senior manager of Chrysler Group Corporate Security in a statement issued Tuesday. "This operation was a great example of that teamwork. Chrysler Group provided some information, but the joint task force was very thorough and professional in following up on it."
