Dearborn Airbag Thieves Caught In Act, 33 Stolen Airbags Found: Police

DEARBORN, MI — Two men were arrested Thursday after police said they smashed a car's window and stole the sterling wheel in a Dearborn parking lot.

In addition, police believe the two men stole numerous steering wheels across metro Detroit, accounting for much of the rise in steering wheel thefts across the region, police said.

Montazer Al-Huchaimy and Ali Alwatan were each charged with six felonies, including fleeing and eluding, larceny from a motor vehicle, receiving and concealing stolen property and assaulting a police officer, officials announced.

They were both arraigned Sunday before Magistrate Doraid Elder of the 19th District Court. Al-Huchaimy was given a $100,000 cash bond and Alwatan was given a $75,000 cash bond.

They both must with a GPS tether if they are released from jail. The Probable Cause Conference is scheduled for Sept. 2 and the Preliminary Exam for Sept. 9.

Dearborn Police said they set up a special task force to investigate a rise in airbag thefts, particularly in Chevy Malibus, across the metro Detroit area.

The Dearborn Special Operations Officers were watching Al-Huchaimy and Alwatan at 3 a.m. Thursday morning in the parking lot of the Holiday Inn, located at 6355 Mercury Drive in Dearborn.

Police said Al-Huchaimy and Alwatan smashed the window of a Chevrolet Malibu and took the steering wheel. They then took off in their car, leading police on a chase.

Al-Huchaimy and Alwatan were eventually arrested at the end of the chase, police said.

Officials also said they found a stolen vehicle and 33 stolen airbags/steering wheels in connection to the arrest.

"Vehicle thefts cause great pain and disruption to our residents’ lives and livelihoods," Dearborn police Chief Issa Shahin said. "That’s why the Dearborn Police Department takes these alleged crimes very 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."