DEARBORN, Mich. — Two people were arrested in Michigan for their alleged involvement in a string of airbag and steering wheel thefts, police say.
The Dearborn Police Department said in a news release that across Detroit, Michigan, there has been a rise in airbag thefts recently in General Motor vehicles — especially the Chevy Malibu. DPD decided to launch an investigation into the thefts.
On August 18, DPD’s Special Operations officers did some surveillance and located two people who were believed to be involved in the thefts, DPD said.
According to WDIV, the two people were identified as Montazer Al-Huchaimy and Ali Alwatan. The DPD Special Operations officers allegedly saw both men smash a window of a Malibu in a hotel parking lot.
DPD said the officers saw Al-Huchaimy and Alwatan allegedly remove the steering wheel. The officers were involved in a pursuit with the suspects and eventually took them into custody. DPD said that one stolen vehicle and 33 stolen airbags/steering wheels were found.
“Vehicle thefts cause great pain and disruption to our residents’ lives and livelihoods. That’s why the Dearborn Police Department takes these alleged crimes very seriously. I am proud of the work of our officers to thoroughly investigate and ultimately apprehend two individuals in connection with this rash of thefts across Metro Detroit,” said Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin in a news release.
Al-Huchaimy and Alwatan were charged on August 21 with a six-county felony complaint, according to DPD. The counts included fleeing and eluding, larceny of a motor vehicle, receiving and concealing stolen property and assaulting a police officer, according to WDIV.
Al-Huchaimy is being held on a $100,000 cash bond, DPD said. Alwatan is being held on a $75,000 cash bond.
According to WDIV, a probable cause conference is scheduled for September 2 and a preliminary examination is scheduled for September 9.
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