Detroit Men Charged in Theft of 25 Dodge Durangos Across Tri-County Area

David Franklin, 41, and Barron Hatcher Jr., 24, have been charged in connection with a vehicle theft ring that allegedly stole over 25 Dodge Durango SUVs from dealerships across Macomb, Oakland, and Genesee counties. The Macomb County Sheriff's Office states that the suspects utilized an AutoProPad device to program key fobs and steal multiple vehicles simultaneously. Both men face charges of conducting a criminal enterprise and possession of burglary tools, with bond set at $1 million for Franklin and $500,000 for Hatcher. The investigation began in November 2024, leading to their arrests on January 30 and 31, respectively, and the recovery of several stolen vehicles. Authorities have noted a significant rise in auto thefts in Michigan, with vehicle thefts increasing by 56% from 2019 to 2023. Franklin and Hatcher are currently being held at the Macomb County Jail pending further court proceedings.