Midwest

Crime lords turn Motor City into car-theft supermarket for Middle East buyers: ‘Somebody’s getting paid’

Published

2 months ago

December 27, 2025

Crime lords turn Motor City into car-theft supermarket for Middle East buyers: ‘Somebody’s getting paid’

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An uptick in international organized crime groups smuggling stolen vehicles from the Motor City to countries in the Middle East is alarming law enforcement officials looking to crack down on the thefts, as experts say criminals are leveraging juveniles to do their dirty work.

In September, eight men were indicted in federal court for allegedly operating a car theft and international smuggling operation in Detroit, Michigan, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan said in a news release.

According to the 12-count indictment, the eight suspects conspired among themselves and others to coordinate the deliveries of stolen vehicles at one of four commercial or industrial lots throughout the Detroit metropolitan area. Once the vehicles were delivered, prosecutors said the men would pack at least two of the stolen vehicles into shipping containers and send them to nearby port cities by freight or rail.

Once the containers arrived at the various port cities, the containers transporting the cars would allegedly be shipped overseas.

AMERICAN TRUCKING INDUSTRY URGES LAWMAKERS TO ACT AS ONLINE CARGO THEFT SURGES

Trucks cross the Ambassador Bridge between Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Canada, on March 4, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan. (Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

“A lot of the cars were shipped to the Middle East,” Dearborn Police Cpl. Daniel Bartok told FOX 2, including locations like Iraq and Dubai.

The suspects have been identified as Haydar Al Haydari, 41, of Garden City; Karar Alnakash, 43, of Detroit; Abbas Al Othman, 42; of Dearborn Heights; Mohammed Al Hilo, 36, of Detroit; Moustapha Al Fetlawi, 46, of Dearborn Heights; Terrill Davis, 33, of Detroit; David Roshinsky Williams, 32, of Harper Woods; and Mohammed Al Abboodi, 35, of Detroit, according to federal prosecutors.

All eight men are charged with one count of conspiracy to transport stolen vehicles and one or more counts of transportation of a stolen vehicle, prosecutors said.

ICE, CBP SEIZE 400 FIREARMS HIDDEN IN FAKE TRAILER WALLS AT SOUTHERN BORDER CROSSING

The Port Detroit Port Authority at the General Motors Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Dominic Gwinn / Middle East Images via AFP via Getty Images)

“Our efforts have led to the recovery of over 350 stolen vehicles and behind every one of those stolen cars is a victim,” ICE HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Stentz said in a statement. “Our HSI special agents and law enforcement partners will continue to do the work necessary to take down these operations that harm everyday Americans.”

The recent indictment is merely the latest in what has become a surge in vehicle thefts throughout Michigan in recent years.

In 2023, the state saw 28,408 reported cases of motor vehicle thefts, according to the Michigan Department of Attorney General. The uptick marked a 4.1% increase in thefts when compared to the previous year, and a 48.4% spike when compared to data from the past five years.

The Michigan Department of Attorney General did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

CRIMINAL NETWORKS EXPLOIT US INTERSTATES TO MAKE HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS VANISH: ‘REAL PLAGUE’

Trucks cross the Ambassador Bridge as they carry cargo between Canada and the United States on Feb. 3, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

“I think any large metropolitan area has some auto theft issues,” Kyle McPhee, a stolen vehicle identification specialist and retired detective sergeant with the Michigan State Police, told Fox News Digital. “Detroit happens to be a port city. You can put something in a shipping container and it can be at a port in no time.”

Organized crime groups will often swipe vehicles from a manufacturer’s lot or ones simply parked on the street, with some criminals recruiting juveniles due to the less harsh legal penalties for minors, according to McPhee.

“They’ll pay juveniles very little to go out and bring these vehicles back to wherever they’re going to cool them off,” McPhee said. “They’ll remove any tracking devices and they might cut the vehicle up so they can put it in a shipping container and call it ‘auto parts.’ Then when it gets to its destination, they might reassemble it.”

ICE SAYS IT TOOK DOWN GROUP LINKED TO VIOLENT HOME INVASIONS IN TEXAS; VIDEO SHOWS VICTIM CHASED, ATTACKED

The Marathon refinery is pictured in Detroit, Michigan, on Oct. 14, 2024. (Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images)

Once a shipping container arrives at port, McPhee said criminals will often fabricate the manifest logs to fool officials regarding its contents.

“They’ll say ‘household goods,’ and there might be five cars in there and two mattresses,” McPhee added.

The process makes it nearly impossible for authorities to verify the contents of each of the millions of containers passing through each port every year, with organized crime groups within the United States often coordinating with international criminals, according to McPhee.

SOPHISTICATED PORCH PIRATE RING HACKED SHIPMENT TRACKING INFO TO STEAL HUNDREDS OF PHONES, PROSECUTOR SAYS

“They have backscatter machines and x-rays that look into the shipping containers, but you’re talking about a million shipping containers on some of these ports are tough,” McPhee said. “It’s a tough duty. You have to also be careful of what’s coming into the country, and now we have to look at what’s going out.”

The rise in vehicle thefts throughout Michigan has led state officials to create the Auto Fraud Task Force (AFTF) earlier this year.

The unit combats both auto insurance fraud and large-scale criminal auto theft operations within Metro Detroit by partnering with various law enforcement agencies throughout the area, according to the Michigan Department of Attorney General.

“With the rise of auto thefts across our communities, expanding the Auto Fraud Task Force is an important step to strengthen our fight against both vehicle theft and insurance fraud, crimes that impact far too many Michigan residents each year,” Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement. “Through this new structure, we are enhancing our efforts to dismantle these sophisticated, organized auto crime enterprises across our state.”

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As authorities race to track down stolen vehicles before they are loaded onto shipping containers, while also investigating how criminal groups on American soil are working with international crime organizations, McPhee insisted there is one key component in what is driving the uptick in vehicle thefts throughout Michigan.

“The one key connection is somebody’s getting paid,” McPhee told Fox News Digital. “There’s money to be made. So if you have a local organized gang, they can be connected internationally to another group very easily. We have the internet, it’s not hard.”

Julia Bonavita is a U.S. Writer for Fox News Digital and a Fox Flight Team drone pilot. You can follow her at @juliabonavita13 on all platforms and send story tips to julia.bonavita@fox.com.

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Wisconsin

Purdue Basketball: Wisconsin Preview: Stats, Analytics, Analysis

Published

6 minutes ago

March 7, 2026

Press Room

Purdue Basketball: Wisconsin Preview: Stats, Analytics, Analysis

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Season

2/28: W – 63 – 62 vs Oregon @ Home

2/24: W – 72 – 68 vs Indiana @ Away

2/17: W – 78 – 74 vs Maryland @ Home

Position	#	Player	Class	Height	Weight	Min	Pts	Reb	Ast
Point Guard	2	Nick Boyd	Sr.	6’3”	177	31	20	4	4
Shooting Guard	25	John Blackwell	Jr.	6’4”	203	33	18	5	2
Small Forward	7	Andrew Rohde	Sr.	6’6”	195	26	6	2	3
Power Forward	32	Aleksas Bieliauskas	Fr.	6’10”	235	18	4	4	1
Center	31	Nolan Winter	Jr.	7’0”	235	31	13	9	2

Position	#	Player	Class	Height	Weight	Min	Pts	Reb	Ast
Guard/Wing	0	Braeden Carrington	Sr.	6’5”	200	18	9	3	1
Power Forward	22	Austin Rapp	So.	6’10”	238	22	9	4	2
Center	23	Will Garlock	Fr.	7’0”	243	7	1	1	1

Nolan Winter went down with an ankle injury in Wisconsin’s 78-45 demolition of Maryland. He’s listed as day-to-day. If he’s unable to answer the bell, look for Bieliauskas to move to center and Austin Rapp to move into the starting lineup at power forward.

(Per KenPom.com – National Rank / Big 10 Rank in ())

Adjusted Efficiency: 124 (18) – Big 10 Only: 118.6 (4)

Adjusted Tempo: 69.1 (91) – Big 10 Only: 67.7 (3)

Average Possession Length: 17 (105) – Big 10 Only: 18.1 (7)

Effective Field Goal%: 54.2 (64) – Big 10 Only: 53.7 (9)

Offensive Rebound%: 29.7 (214) – Big 10 Only: 28.8 (6)

Three Point%: 35.7 (80) – Big 10 Only: 32.8 (8)

Two Point %: 54.9 (61) – Big 10 Only: 54.2 (10)

Adjusted Efficiency: 102.1 (48) – Big 10 Only: 112.3 (9)

Adjusted Tempo: 69.1 (91) – Big 10 Only: 67.7 (3)

Average Possession Length: 17 (105) – Big 10 Only: 18.1 (7)

Effective Field Goal%: 54.2 (64) – Big 10 Only: 53.6 (12)

Offensive Rebound%: 29.7 (214) – Big 10 Only: 34.9 (18)

Three Point%: 35.7 (80) – Big 10 Only: 32.8 (8)

Two Point %: 54.9 (61) – Big 10 Only: 54.2 (10)

I usually find a stat mismatch that favors Purdue in this section, but I feel like this is a “throw the stats out the window” type of game. The Boilermakers have rolled over at home against the top of the Big 10 this season. Needless to say, that’s surprising for a group of battle-tested seniors who started the season with National Championship aspirations.

The “Big 3” has turned into “maybe one of the three show up?” for Purdue.

Their last home win was a 93-64 beatdown of the Hoosiers, where Braden, Trey, and Fletcher all played up to their preseason expectations, and the game was never in doubt. That’s what I’m looking for in their last game in Mackey. Things haven’t gone the way we hoped this season, but a win against Wisconsin would give the Boilermakers some much-needed momentum heading into the Big 10 Tournament.

If all three Purdue seniors show up, this game shouldn’t be close, especially considering….

If Winter can’t go, or is significantly hindered by a bum ankle, it’s going to be tough sledding for the Badgers today. As a veteran ankle sprainer, I wouldn’t be super optimistic about his chances of being anywhere close to 100%, he’s in the “oh man, this thing is throbbing, swollen, and purple” part of the recovery process. Throw in the fact that Wisconsin has the Big 10 tournament looming, and I’m doubtful that the Wisconsin big man plays in this game.

The Battle of the Backcourt

Nick Boyd and John Blackwell have been outstanding this season. That’s not great for a Purdue team with only one guard capable/interested in playing defense. CJ Cox will probably have to guard Blackwell because he’s too strong for Braden or Fletcher off the bounce. That, I assume, leaves Braden on Nick Boyd, and that should give everyone some indigestion. At the very least, Purdue’s senior guard needs to match Boyd’s point production because, based on all available data, he’s going to get into the lane at will and torture the Boilermakers.

Wisconsin: Prefer not to say

Looking Into My Crystal Ball

I smashed my crystal ball after the Ohio State loss. As I said above, I’d like to think that Purdue’s seniors show up today and give the home crowd a show in their last home game. That’s certainly one of the scenarios that could play out today, and it’s the one I’ll be hoping for.

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Midwest

Smoothie King fires employees who refused to serve customers over Trump sweatshirt

Published

4 hours ago

March 7, 2026

Press Room

Smoothie King fires employees who refused to serve customers over Trump sweatshirt

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Two employees at a Smoothie King in Ann Arbor, Michigan were fired after they refused to serve a couple because the man was wearing a sweatshirt with President Donald Trump’s name on it, according to the company.

“As a brand, Smoothie King is committed to ensuring our stores are a place free of discrimination of any kind, where every guest and team member is treated with care and respect,” the company said in a Monday X post. “Following an investigation into an incident involving a guest who was refused service at a franchised location in Michigan yesterday, the franchise owner has taken immediate action and the two employees involved are no longer with the business.”

The couple, Erika Lindemyer and Jake Lindemyer, were asked to leave the Ann Arbor franchise location after they got into a back-and-forth argument with two employees after one said she was uncomfortable with the man’s Trump sweatshirt. Her co-worker defended the other employee’s stance and told the couple to leave.

A bartender makes fresh smoothies in a blender while customers wait patiently in line. (Getty Images) (Getty Images )

“We were just wanting a smoothie, and you literally looked at us and I asked you if everything was OK and you said, ‘We don’t feel comfortable serving you’ because of my husband’s hoodie. That is discrimination,” Erika Lindemyer said.

“OK, well, have a great day,” one former employee is heard saying.

In the video, the other employee is heard saying, “Trump discriminates [against] us,” to which Erika Lindemyer responded, “That has nothing to do with us wanting a smoothie!”

‘I DON’T SUPPORT ICE’: GAS STATION REFUSAL IGNITES DEBATE OVER DENYING SERVICE TO FEDERAL AGENTS

Erika Lindemyer posted on Facebook that she was “disgusted” that former Smoothie King workers did not serve her and her husband over his Trump sweatshirt. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo)

One employee said they had the right to refuse service.

“You asked a question and [her co-worker] gave you an answer. Have a great day. Have a great day. The door’s right there,” the worker said.

That same employee also posted the encounter from her perspective on TikTok.

In a Monday Facebook post, Erika Lindemyer wrote, “I’m disgusted as a AMERICAN CITIZEN! I loved Smoothie King and was refused service over my husbands sweatshirt!!!! Talk about DISCRIMINATION!!!! Jake Lindemyer Please share this video. Let’s make these 2 famous.”

A GoFundMe page was reportedly set up by one of the employees entitled, “Support for Safety After Online Harassment,” but later taken down.

Smoothie King gave a similar statement to Fox News Digital, saying, “As a brand, Smoothie King is committed to ensuring our stores are a place free of discrimination of any kind, where every guest and team member is treated with kindness and respect. Following an investigation into an incident involving a guest who was refused service at a franchised location in Michigan on Sunday, the franchise owner has taken immediate action and the two employees involved are no longer with the business.”

A THERAPIST’S WARNING: TRUMP DIDN’T BREAK AMERICA — PERMANENT OUTRAGE DID

Smoothie King said it had apologized to the customers. (iStock)

The company also stated they have reached out to the couple to apologize and that they will be retraining employees.

“Both the franchise owner and Smoothie King corporate have reached out to the guest several times to apologize and will continue to follow up,” the company said. “The local owner is also taking further action and enforcing mandatory retraining for all employees that outlines our guest experience standards. We care for everyone who wants to live a healthy and active lifestyle regardless of their race, gender, religion and political affiliation.”

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Janiyah Mishelle, one of the former employees, said, “My political opinions are very complex. I do not stand on behalf of any political party. I merely refused service because of the alleged affiliations the Trump administration has to [pedophiles]. I believe in the United States & want to see our citizens standing up against binary political logic.”

She added, “In my opinion, in this specific instance, I had the right to refuse service due to discomfort with a customer interaction – just as he had the right to wear the political merchandise. I would like to clarify that my statements were/are NOT on behalf of Smoothie King. I would also like to thank everyone who is currently supporting me through the digital harassment, political re-framing, and job-loss.”

She said her co-worker wished to remain private on the matter.

Fox News Digital attempted to reach Jake Lindemyer for comment.

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Rachel del Guidice is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to rachel.delguidice@fox.com.

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Detroit, MI

Detroit Mercy basketball two wins away from NCAA tournament bid

Published

6 hours ago

March 7, 2026

Press Room

Detroit Mercy basketball two wins away from NCAA tournament bid

UDM is two wins away from its first NCAA tournament berth since 2012.

Calling what Detroit Mercy basketball has done this season a resurgence may be an undersell.

UDM (16-14, 12-8 Horizon), the No. 3-seed in the Horizon League Tournament, is playing No. 2 Robert Morris (22-10, 13-7) in the conference semifinals at Corteva Coliseum in Indianapolis on Monday, March 9. The game is scheduled to tip off at 9:30 p.m. ET and will be televised on ESPN2.

For a team that went 8-24 in the 2024-25 season, and a program-worst 1-31 in 2023-24, that the Titans are just two wins away from an NCAA Tournament appearance represents nothing short of a rebirth. That possibility looked distant even on Jan. 24, when a 95-87 loss to rival Oakland brought the Titans to 8-12 overall.

Watch Horizon League tournament on Fubo

But UDM responded by winning seven of its last nine regular-season games, including a 95-89 win against Oakland at the O’Rena to secure the team’s first 16-win season since 2016.

“We all found out who we were as players and as people. So now we know what positions to put the right people in at the right time,” said Titans senior point guard Orlando Lovejoy of the team’s late-season surge. “Once we figured that out, it was game on.”

The Detroit native Lovejoy has put up exceptional numbers in his senior season with the Titans, putting up a career-high 33 points in a 74-70 win over Green Bay on Feb. 22 and 29 points on 13-for-16 shooting against Oakland in the regular-season finale.

“He scores in phases. He can score on the fast break, he can post up, he can get to his spots,” said UDM coach Mark Montgomery. “He also brings the, ‘Gimme the ball in the biggest moments, and I’ll take over.’”

Lovejoy might have to take over more than usual against a tough Robert Morris team. The Colonials are the defending Horizon League champions and have beaten the Titans twice this year, with an 85-77 win in Detroit on March 2 and a 73-62 win at home on Feb. 25.

“We turned the ball over in key moments in those games, and then we have to keep them off the offensive glass,” said Montgomery of the Colonials. “We’re gonna get down to Indy, we’re going to enjoy a day, and then we’re going to lock in and know it’s one-and-done time.”

As for Lovejoy, who only gets four tickets to give to friends and family for the upcoming game, he expects to have a big travelling crowd to support him and the local team.

“I don’t know who I’m not bringing to Indianapolis,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of people coming to support as they did ever since I started playing basketball.”

Detroit Mercy basketball time vs Robert Morris in Horizon League semifinal

Date: Monday, March 9.
Time: 9:30 p.m. ET.
Location: Corteva Coliseum, Indianapolis.

UDM is looking for its fourth conference tournament win and first since 2012.

Detroit Mercy basketball channel vs Robert Morris in Horizon League semifinal

Tipoff: 9:30 p.m. ET.
Channel: ESPN2.
Streaming: Fubo.

Monday’s Horizon League semifinal game featuring UDM and Robert Morris will be televised on ESPN2 and can be streamed on Fubo, which carries ESPN channels.

Watch Detroit Mercy-Robert Morris on Fubo

Horizon League tournament results

Play-in: No. 11 Cleveland State 101, No. 10 IU Indianapolis 93.
First round: No. 5 Green Bay 64, No. 6 Purdue.
First round: No. 1 Wright State 90, No. 10 Cleveland State 61.
First round: No. 2 Robert Morris 68, Youngstown State 53.
First round: No. 3 UDM 84, No. 8 Milwaukee 63.
First round: No. 7 Northern Kentucky 85, No. 4 Oakland 84.
Sunday, March 8, Second round: No. 5 Green Bay vs No. 7 Northern Kentucky, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+).
Monday, March 9, Semifinal: No. 1 Wright State vs TBD, 7 p.m. ET (ESPNU).
Monday, March 9, Semifinal: No. 2 Robert Morris vs No. 3 UDM, 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2).
Tuesday, March 10, Final: TBD vs TBD, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN).