Two charged in purchase of stolen high-end vehicle
Two Detroit men have been charged after reportedly purchasing one of four high-end vehicles stolen from a Highland Township car dealership.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office reports Cameron Powell, 22, and Ronnie Smith, 19, are being held in Oakland County Jail on $500,000 bond, set by District Court Magistrate Julie Nelson-Klein.
According to the sheriff’s office, Powell and Smith were riding in a 2021 Dodge Durango Hellcat SRT, which was stolen Wednesday from Szott Dodge on Highland Road in Highland Township.
The two are not believed to have stolen the vehicle, but reportedly paid $5,000 for it. The vehicle is valued at around $100,000.
Deputies report Smith was wearing a balaclavastyle mask, which covered his face except for his eyes. During the arrest. Detectives also found $5,000 in $100 bills and $20 bills, and recovered a loaded semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine containing 30 rounds. A computer device to reprogram key fobs was also found.
Four high-end vehicles were reported stolen from the dealership, with a total value of $329,000.
The vehicles include:
• A white 2021 Dodge Durango Hellcat SRT
• A black 2021 Dodge Durango GT
• A black 2021 Dodge Ram TRX
• A black 2017 Dodge Charger Hellcat SRT
The thefts are reportedly connected to a series of “smash and grab” breakins at gas stations in Waterford Township and White Lake Township, in which cash, cigarettes, and other items were stolen by suspects matching the descriptions of the car thieves.
The four vehicles were reported stolen from Szott Dodge on Sept. 29. An employee of the dealership found several doors damaged, including a glass door wall which had been shattered. The office had been ransacked, and a locker containing key fobs had been opened.
Two of the stolen vehicles were driven off the showroom floor through a glass door wall, according to detectives.
Detectives made the arrest after Powell reportedly crashed the Durango into a brick wall while driving it.
The other vehicles were recovered in Detroit and Livonia, with the assistance of Detroit Commercial Auto Theft, the White Lake Township Police Department, the Birmingham Police Department and the Livonia Police Department.
Powell has prior convictions for aggravated assault and resisting and obstructing a police officer. Smith has a pending case in Wayne County on a concealed weapon charge.
Detectives are seeking the identity of the suspects who stole the vehicles. Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) SPEAK-UP. A reward of $1,000 is offered for information leading to an arrest.