Detroit, MI
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
Detroit, MI
Detroit Zoo welcomes Nguvu the giraffe from Utah
The Detroit Zoo welcomed a new giraffe, Nguvu, to the herd, officials announced on Wednesday.
Officials say 1-year-old Nguvu came from Utah’s Hogle Zoo as part of the zoo’s “long-term plan for the giraffe herd.”
“This move was recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Giraffe Species Survival Plan, which promotes the health, genetic diversity and overall sustainability of giraffe populations in zoos – and we’re eager to support Nguvu as he adjusts to his new home,” the Detroit Zoo says.
Officials say Nguvu has been working with the animal care teams for several days and will be introduced to the herd soon.
According to Utah’s Hogle Zoo, Nguvu was born in February 2025. His name means “strength” in Swahili.
Detroit, MI
Lions-Patriots scheduled for Week 10 in Munich
The Detroit Lions are taking part in the NFL’s International series for the first time since 2015 by hosting the AFC Champion New England Patriots Week 10 in Munich at Allianz Arena on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 9:30 a.m. ET (3:30 p.m. local time in Germany) on FOX.
The Patriots represented the AFC in the Super Bowl this past February after a 14-3 season and their 22nd AFC East title. They beat the Los Angeles Chargers (16-3), Houston Texans (28-16) and Denver Broncos (10-7) in the playoffs to earn their 12th Super Bowl appearance, which they lost to Seattle (29-13).
Patriots QB Drake Maye is one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL entering his third season and New England’s defense is coming off a 2025 season in which they ranked fourth in points allowed (18.8) and eighth in total defense (295.2).
This is the second of Detroit’s 2026 matchups to be announced early (Week 2 TNF in Buffalo). The rest of the Lions schedule will be revealed Thursday evening.
Detroit, MI
Cool, breezy Wednesday gives way to summer preview in Metro Detroit
4Warn Weather – Metro Detroit is getting a bit of everything this week: from freezing temperatures to summerlike heat.
Mixed in are rain chances.
Tuesday night will feature scattered showers and a chance of a few thunderstorms as a cold front moves through Southeast Michigan.
The strongest storms Tuesday night are not expected to be severe, but a few downpours and gusty winds will be possible before the rain tapers off overnight.
Overnight temperatures will settle into the 40s and 50s in most locations.
Cooler air will arrive first across the Thumb and northern communities, with lows dipping into the mid- to upper 40s near Lapeer, Port Huron, and Sandusky.
Detroit and Downriver communities will be in the lower 50s.
Wednesday
Wednesday will feel noticeably cooler and breezy behind the front. High temperatures may struggle to climb much beyond the mid-50s in Metro Detroit, while communities farther north could remain even cooler at times under mostly cloudy skies.
A stray shower cannot be ruled out during the day, but much of Wednesday looks dry.
That cooler air will greet fans heading downtown Wednesday evening for Game 5 between the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers at Little Caesars Arena.
Temperatures around tipoff at 8 p.m. will hover near 50 degrees with cloudy skies. By the time fans leave the arena later Wednesday night, readings may slip into the upper 40s.
Anyone heading downtown may want a jacket, especially with a lingering breeze making it feel a little cooler outside.
After the chilly midweek stretch, temperatures will rebound quickly heading into the weekend.
Looking ahead
Friday evening looks comfortable for the Detroit Tigers’ series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays at Comerica Park.
First-pitch temperatures around 6:45 p.m. should be near 60 degrees under partly cloudy skies.
Saturday may end up being one of the nicest days Metro Detroit has seen in a while. Temperatures are expected to surge into the lower 80s.
Plenty of sunshine and warm conditions should make for ideal baseball weather and a busy day across parks, patios, marinas, and outdoor events across southeast Michigan.
Sunday remains warm, with highs in the upper 70s and approaching 80 degrees, though the atmosphere may become more unsettled later in the day.
Flower Day at Eastern Market in Detroit should still feature decent weather for shoppers and visitors during the morning and early afternoon, but a few showers and isolated thunderstorms could develop later Sunday as moisture increases again across the Great Lakes.
That means people heading to Eastern Market may want to keep an umbrella nearby, especially if spending several hours outdoors later in the day.
Even with the chance of rain, temperatures will remain warm and pleasant for browsing flowers, plants, and outdoor vendors.
The warming trend continues into early next week, with highs climbing into the 80s again on Monday with additional rain chances.
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