BUSTED: Michigan Thieves Use Key Fob Hack to Steal Over 400 Cars

In what sounds like a sidequest gone wrong on the wildly popular video game Grand Theft Auto, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced earlier this year that state and local police cracked a huge auto theft ring. How big? Well, over the past year, these high-tech thieves managed to drive off with over 400 cars, including models direct from the factory and dealership lots.

Michigan Car Theft Ring Busted: High-Tech Hijinks

According to a report in the Detroit Free Press, these aren't your typical, average, everyday car thieves. These guys used computerized devices to reprogram key fobs, which is the equivalent of a magic wand for crooks. They don't even need your keys to do it.

With a few techy tricks, they can hack a key fob, unlock your car, and drive away with your shiny new car as if they had your keys. With a wave of their wand, POOF, your car disappears from driveways, factories, and dealerships.

Michigan Car Theft Ring Busted: The Violent Side

What made this car theft ring so unnerving was the violent turns they took. They didn't hesitate to put security guards or police officers in harm's way. Cars were rammed, shots were fired--it was a dangerous ride that has thankfully come to an end thanks to state and local police agencies.

Michigan Car Theft Ring Busted: How It All Ended

On Wednesday, May 12, 2024, a multi-department detective dream team swooped in and arrested six suspects. However, two additional suspects are still wanted for questioning. Their crimes covered Detroit, Grand Rapids, and even some parts of Ohio.

RELATED: The 10 Most Commonly Stolen Cars and Trucks in Michigan

Once the bust was tallied up and the piles of $100 bills, guns, programming devices, key fobs, and stolen vehicles were sorted, over $30 million in stolen merchandise was found. The suspects await due process while they're being housed behind bars in Oakland County and face serious 20-year felony charges for running a criminal enterprise and using computers to commit crimes.

Michigan Car Theft Ring Busted: Michigan AG Pushes For Stricter Tech Laws

Moving forward, expect stricter laws and harsher penalties for those illegally possessing "Pro-pads," the devices that reprogram key fobs. Two pieces of legislation addressing the issue are currently moving through the process in Lansing and have the full backing of Nessel.

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Here's a look at the 10 most commonly stolen vehicles in Michigan.