Dearborn police special operations officers arrested two suspects Aug. 18 believed to be responsible for numerous airbag thefts, and recovered a stolen vehicle and 33 steering wheel units.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN – Two suspects are in custody following an extensive investigation by special operations officers following a rise in airbag thefts of General Motors vehicles, particularly the Chevy Malibu, across metropolitan Detroit.
About 3 a.m. Aug. 18, Dearborn police officers surveilling two suspects saw them smash the window of a Malibu at Holiday Inn, 6355 Mercury Drive, and remove the vehicle’s steering wheel, which contains the airbag.
The suspects tried to flee in a stolen car, but were quickly taken into custody. The stolen vehicle contained 33 steering wheel assemblies.
On Aug. 21, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office charged Montazer Al-Huchaimy and Ali Alwatan with six felony counts before 19th District Court Magistrate Doraid Elder, which included fleeing and eluding, larceny from a motor vehicle, receiving and concealing stolen property and assaulting a police officer.
Huchaimy was issued a $100,000, 10 percent cash bond with a GPS tether, and Alwatan was issued at $75,000 cash bond with a GPS tether.
A probable cause conference is scheduled for Sept. 2, followed by a Sept. 9 preliminary examination of the evidence against them.
Police Chief Issa Shahin said theft like this disrupts lives and upsets residents, and his department takes it seriously.
“I am proud of the work of our officers to thoroughly investigate and ultimately apprehend two individuals in connection with this rash of thefts across metro Detroit,” he said.