Masked men steal Jeep from parking structure

Two masked men stole a Jeep Grand Cherokee on Wednesday, February 24, from the Pierce Street parking structure in downtown Birmingham, police said.

Birmingham police said an officer was dispatched about 11:54 a.m. for a report of a possible theft at the structure. A witness told police she saw two black men near a black Jeep Grand Cherokee in the basement of the parking structure, just before hearing glass break and a car alarm sounding.

“She stated that she then saw a black jeep traveling north in the basement of the structure with a broken out driver’s side rear window,” the Birmingham Police Department said. “She stated that both were wearing ski masks as they were near the vehicle and seen driving away in the vehicle.”

While attempting to identify the vehicle, Birmingham police were contacted by the Troy Police Department regarding a black Jeep Grand Cherokee with a broken driver’s side, rear window driving south on Woodward near 13 Mile at a high rate of speed and running red lights. They were unable to follow the vehicle but were able to retrieve a license plate.

Birmingham police were able to to contact the vehicle's owner, who was able to immediately set up GPS tracking on the vehicle, leading to a location in Warren. However, Warren police were unable to locate the vehicle.

Birmingham police are continuing to investigate the incident.