Detroit, MI

2 Detroit men linked to vehicle thefts in 3 counties charged

Published

1 year ago

February 21, 2025

2 Detroit men linked to vehicle thefts in 3 counties charged

Two Detroit men accused of being part of an auto theft ring that targeted dealerships in Macomb, Oakland and Genesee counties have been charged, police said.

David Franklin and Barron Hatcher Jr. allegedly stole more than 25 Dodge Durango SUVs from dealerships across the three counties, the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday.

Franklin, 41, was charged on Feb. 10 through 37th District Court in Warren with conducting a criminal enterprise, a 20-year felony, and possession of burglary tools, a 10-year felony, the sheriff’s office and court records said.

A judge set Franklin’s bond at $1 million and scheduled a probable cause hearing for March 4. He also ordered Franklin to wear a GPS tether if he posts bond.

Franklin’s attorney was not immediately available for comment on Friday.

Hatcher, 24, was charged earlier this month in 37th District Court with the same charges as Franklin, the sheriff’s office and court records said.

Last week, the court ordered Hatcher to stand trial in Macomb County Circuit Court. Court records said the charges stem from offenses that occurred from June through November 2024.

His bond was set at $500,000 and he is scheduled to be arraigned in circuit court on Monday, records said. Like Franklin, he was ordered to wear a GPS tether if he posts bond.

Hatcher’s attorney was not immediately available for comment on Friday.

Authorities said they in November started investigating a series of auto thefts. Investigators said they believed the suspects targeted Dodge dealerships and used a key programming device to steal multiple Durango SUVs at once.

Detectives from Macomb, Oakland, and Genesee counties as well as the Troy Police Department worked together to investigate the thefts, recover numerous vehicles and link the suspects to other crimes, according to officials.

Hatcher was arrested on Jan. 30 in Farmington Hills and Franklin was arrested in Houston, Texas on Jan. 31. He was later extradited to Michigan, police reported.

Both remain lodged at the Macomb County Jail, the sheriff’s office said.

Earlier this month, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office said it is expanding its auto insurance fraud task force to include stolen vehicles as thefts spike in Michigan to ease the dismantling of theft rings across the state.

Last month, The Detroit News reported Michigan vehicle thefts jumped 56% from 2019 to 2023, according to state police crime statistics. Vehicle thefts in Michigan during the five years rose from 18,149 to 28,408, the most in the state since 2008.

In early January, four Detroit men were arrested in connection with a crime ring responsible for hundreds of vehicle thefts in southeast Michigan.

cramirez@detroitnews.com

@CharlesERamirez

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Detroit, MI

Former Piston shows Detroit what they’re missing as he dominates next to LeBron

Published

8 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Former Piston shows Detroit what they’re missing as he dominates next to LeBron

The Pistons have made recent moves to add more shooting, but still don’t have anyone quite as lethal as former Detroit guard Luke Kennard. On Saturday night, Kennard had a brilliant start to his postseason with 27 uber-efficient points for the Lakers in a win against the Rockets. His level of 3-point accuracy is something the Pistons have desperately been seeking all season long to bolster their offense.

Luke Kennard’s shooting makes him a dangerous playoff performer

Kennard was originally drafted to Detroit with the 17th pick of the 2017 Draft. The Pistons have plenty of draft regrets from that general era of team history, but picking Kennard has never been one of them. Despite any other weaknesses he may have, his strength as a shooter has always been enough to offset them.

In terms of pure 3-point percentage, Kennard is one of the best shooters in NBA history. He averages 44% behind the arc for his career, and shot a blistering 48% this season – the best mark in the league. Given his incredible track record, it’s not exactly a shocker to see him shoot 5-of-5 from three en route to 27 points in Game 1.

Not only is Kennard obviously an excellent standstill shooter, but he’s also a master of getting himself open with his movement. On Saturday night, he was able to play off LeBron James perfectly for a few easy looks. After that, he caught enough of a rhythm to create 3-point looks for himself, even in transition.

A player like Kennard is easily capable of turning an entire playoff game when he gets hot. In a close series, that one game where Kennard hits several threes can be all the difference his team needs to advance. If the Lakers do manage to win this series, even without Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves, Kennard’s shooting will be a major reason why.

The Pistons could use someone like Kennard

Kennard would be a perfect marginal addition for the Pistons that only makes them better without taking anything away from the team. To be fair, the Pistons do have two shooters who have been hot recently in Duncan Robinson and Kevin Huerter. But having more than one respected shooter on the court at a time is often necessary to maintain a solid offense in today’s NBA.

Given the Pistons’ current lack of shooting, any additional shooters are welcome. And Kennard is understandably one of the most feared shooters in the league, capable of bending defenses just by the threat of him taking a three. Rolling him out on the Pistons would surely open up more lanes for Detroit’s stars to attack the paint and score easier points.

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Detroit, MI

Troopers arrest Detroit woman after drive-by shooting on I-94

Published

20 hours ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Troopers arrest Detroit woman after drive-by shooting on I-94

A Detroit woman was arrested in the aftermath of a hit-and-run collision and shooting on Interstate 94, Michigan State Police reported.

Emergency dispatchers were called shortly after midnight Saturday about the altercation. Troopers reported the caller said while they were driving eastbound on I-94, near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, a black Jeep sideswiped them and sped off.

The caller then decided to follow the Jeep.

In response, police said, the driver of the Jeep fired several gunshots in the caller’s direction.

None of the gunshots struck the vehicle.

Troopers were able to use license plate reader camera technology to locate the Jeep while it was on the Lodge Freeway, made a traffic stop. The driver and two passengers were taken into custody without incident.

The passengers were released shortly afterwards; troopers believe that the 19-year-old driver was the shooter. She has been lodged pending further review by the prosecutor’s office.

In addition, a firearm was recovered from the vehicle.

The above video originally aired on Aug. 19, 2025.

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Detroit, MI

Orlando Magic vs Detroit Pistons odds for NBA playoffs Game 1 Sunday

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Orlando Magic vs Detroit Pistons odds for NBA playoffs Game 1 Sunday

Who is favored in the NBA playoffs odds for Game 1 between the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic?

Here’s what you need to know about NBA playoff betting odds for the NBA game between the No. 8 seed Magic and No. 1 seed Pistons, which is being played on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

What is the point spread for the Pistons vs Magic game?

What is the moneyline for the Magic vs Pistons game?

What is the over/under (point total) for betting on the first-round NBA playoff matchup?

Watch Magic at Pistons on Peacock

Magic vs Pistons odds: What is point spread?

According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Detroit Pistons are an 8.5-point favorite over the Orlando Magic in Game 1 of their NBA Playoffs series.

Pistons vs Magic odds: What is moneyline?

BetMGM Sportsbook lists Detroit as -375 on the moneyline for the first-round NBA playoff game. It has Orlando at +290.

Magic vs Pistons odds: What is over/under?

The point total for the opening game of the NBA playoffs series between the Pistons and Magic is listed at 218.5 points, per BetMGM Sportsbook.

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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