2 Ypsilanti men charged in attempted car theft in Southfield

Southfield — Two Ypsilanti men were arrested over the weekend for trying to steal a vehicle after leading Southfield police on car chases, officials said.

Both have been charged, Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren said Monday.

Tyree Pitts, 21, and James Harris, 18, both of Ypsilanti, were arraigned Friday in 46th District Court, the police chief and court records said.

Barren announced their arrests and charges against them at a midday news conference Monday at police headquarters. He was joined by Southfield Deputy Police Chief Aaron Huguley, Southfield Deputy Police Chief Jeffrey Jagielski, and Southfield Police Lt. Mostapha Bzeih.

Pitts is charged with third-degree fleeing and eluding police, a 5-year felony, unlawful driving away of a motor vehicle, a 5-year felony, and receiving and concealing a stolen vehicle, also a 5-year felony.

A judge set his bond at $50,000 and scheduled his next court hearing for March 28.

Court records did not list an attorney for Pitts on Monday.

Barren said Pitts has prior convictions for assault with a dangerous weapon, breaking and entering, receiving and concealing stolen motor vehicles, felony assault, and malicious destruction of property.

Harris is charged with unlawful driving away of a motor vehicle and receiving and concealing a stolen vehicle, Barren said.

A judge set his bond at $1,500 and scheduled his next court hearing for March 28.

Court records did not list an attorney for Harris on Monday.

Barren said Harris does not have a documented criminal history.

Two other people were arrested in connection with the attempted theft, police said.

One, an 18-year-old Atlanta, Ga., man, was given a ticket for giving police officers a false name when questioned, they said.

The other, a 17-year-old Detroit resident, was processed and turned over to his parents, the chief said. The 17-year-old will be prosecuted in Wayne County Juvenile Court. Barren explained juveniles accused of crimes in Michigan are prosecuted in the counties of their residence not where the crimes allegedly happened.

He also said police continue to investigate and determine if any others may be charged in connection with the crime.

Authorities said the incident happened at about last Thursday in the 27000 block of Berkshire Drive near West Eleven Mile and Evergreen roads.

Barren said dispatchers received a 911 call at about 3:30 a.m. Thursday from the car's owner. She reported her home's security camera alerted her to a man trying to get inside her parked 2017 Dodge Charger, Barren said.

After checking the video, she told police she saw multiple suspects near her car and gave them a description of them.

Officers arrived in the area within minutes and saw a suspect run to get into a white 2015 Mazda sedan, according to the Southfield police chief. They then saw the Mazda and a green Ford Fusion that had been reported stolen earlier in the day in Southfield traveling one behind the other through the neighborhood.

"Based on the officers' observations, it was apparent that both vehicles were involved and acting in concert with one another," Barren said. "Both vehicles were observed leaving the subdivision at the same time. Both vehicles turned in unison onto northbound Evergreen Road."

The chief said the Ford was in front with the Mazda behind it. Officers followed the vehicles as they reached Villa Pointe Condominiums where they drove off in separate directions, he said.

Officers following the Ford shone their vehicle's spotlight on the car and saw multiple occupants inside wearing masks.

"The Ford Fusion immediately accelerated away from officers," Barren said. "As the driver fled, he drove over grass, and rocks, and the vehicle became disabled. The occupants got out and ran."

Simultaneously, officers were pursuing the Mazda. Barren said the car turned onto northbound Evergreen Road, made an abrupt turn at Kingswood Place Condominiums, and continued to flee.

Police then used a so-called PIT Maneuver — using a police car to strike a fleeing vehicle's rear quarter panel — to disable it, officials said.

"That resulted in the vehicle spinning out and becoming disabled," Barren said.

He said the occupants remained in the car until officers ordered them out and took them into custody. Police later identified the driver as Pitts and his front seat passenger as Harris, the chief said.

No injuries were reported, he added.

On Monday, Southfield police released the 911 call reporting the attempted car theft as well as officers' dash cam video of one of the car chases and body camera footage of the arrest of a couple of suspects.

Car thefts have become such a growing problem for law enforcement and car owners, that the Michigan Attorney General's Office said last month it was expanding its auto insurance fraud task force to include stolen vehicles as thefts spike in the state.

"Southeast Michigan is experiencing a crisis when it comes to individuals stealing vehicles," Barren said. "It's also a national crisis. It's a multi-million dollar industry and that's what keeps individuals committing these crimes."

Barren said the city of Southfield is attractive for car thieves because of the three freeways — Interstate 696, the Lodge and the Southfield — that run through it. It also has a lot of hotels and apartment complexes, he added.

"It can become a target for individuals who are planning auto theft crimes because the cars are on display," he said.

Southfield police officers and the task force have arrested 43 auto theft suspects since October 2024, the chief said. Southfield police have arrested 21 people, which resulted in 47 felony charges so far in 2025, he said.

The Southfield Police Department houses the Oakland County Auto Theft Task Force, which includes officers from Oakland County Sheriff's Office and the Southfield, Hazel Park, Farmington Hills and Detroit police agencies.

Pitts and Harris are the latest Michiganians to be accused of auto theft.

Last week, a Warren man was charged with conducting a criminal enterprise, a 20-year felony, after authorities linked him to an alleged auto theft ring that targeted Cadillacs in a carmaker's lot.

Earlier this month, three Detroit men were ordered to stand trial for allegedly being part of a ring that stole hundreds of vehicles in southeast Michigan.

Last month, two Detroit were charged for allegedly being part of an auto theft ring that targeted dealerships in Macomb, Oakland, and Genesee counties.

cramirez@detroitnews.com

@CharlesERamirez