Local stolen SUV crashed in Georgia

A man suspected of stealing an SUV from an unlocked Bloomfield Hills garage in the 5000 block of Charing Cross in late July was arrested in Georgia after running from authorities and crashing the vehicle, police said.

Bloomfield Hills Public Safety Lt. Dustin Lockard said the department received the initial call about 11:25 a.m. on Saturday, July 31, when the a homeowner confronted a male stranger in her garage. The man then entered the homeowner’s 2021 Mercedes Benz G-Class SUV, and fled the scene in the vehicle.

Lockard said the department issued a “Be-On-The-Lookout” for the vehicle, which was later located in Tennessee. Tennessee State Patrol officers initiated a pursuit of the vehicle, terminating the chase at the Tennessee/Georgia state line, where the Georgia State Police then continued the chase. The vehicle eventually crashed in a field and the driver was taken into custody. He was arrested on suspicion of fleeing and eluding, possession of a stolen auto, auto theft and home invasion.

The extent of damage to the vehicle wasn’t immediately known. The base price of a 2021 Mercedes G-Wagon is about $131,000.

“Bloomfield Hills DPS wants to remind vehicle owners that vehicle keys and fobs should never be left in the vehicle, even when parked in a garage,” Lockard said. “And, to close garage doors when unattended.”