Posted on Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 11:05 a.m.
Police: Would-be car thieves foiled when cars won't start
By John Counts
Two vehicles that were apparently targeted by would-be car thieves in the 3000 block of Roundtree Boulevard in Ypsilanti Township remain safely with their owners today, police said.
Deputies from the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the attempted theft of two Dodge Neons in the early morning hours of Wednesday.
The windows were broken out and ignitions tampered with in what appears to be an attempt to start them, but the vehicles did not start.
Nothing was stolen from the cars, police said.
There are no suspects at this time. Police continue to investigate.
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Suzanne
Fri, Jul 20, 2012 : 7:53 p.m.
If they wouldn't start, the owners are probably upset that the thief's didn't take them!
Hmm
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 5:55 p.m.
Who the heck steals a Dodge Neon?
YpsiLivin
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 9:59 p.m.
"Who the heck steals a Dodge Neon?" No one around here, apparently.
tdw
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 7:14 p.m.
Actually, they are one of the most common stolen in Detroit.There's a lot of them and a lot of parts are needed.I'm surprised the air bags weren't taken
nickcarraweigh
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 5:44 p.m.
Chrysler should be told about this, since it may represent the first interest in test-driving Dodge Neons in many years.
Dog Guy
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 5:30 p.m.
I once owned a Dodge Neon; those thieves were fortunate.
Ann English
Fri, Jul 20, 2012 : 10:41 p.m.
Back before the Rampinellis sold their Rampy auto dealership to Suburban, all of us getting our cars serviced, whether Nissan or Chevy drivers, got Neons as free rentals. I know, I never thought about it before: Chryslers used as rentals at a dealership-auto repair business that didn't sell Chryslers? It does sound strange. It apparently was a step towards opening a La Fontaine/Suburban location in Saline selling Chryslers.
brimble
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 3:38 p.m.
Older Dodge Neons were supposedly easy to steal. Newer ones most likely have immobilizer systems (that "chip" inside the plastic head of a key that coordinates with the starter). The immobilizer makes an additional key much more expensive, but the car much harder to steal.
Ann English
Fri, Jul 20, 2012 : 10:45 p.m.
Sounds like perhaps all cars 2001 and newer have chips put inside the plastic key heads that you can only buy at the dealerships selling the cars. You can buy all-metal keys at big-box stores that will unlock your car doors and trunk, but will not start your engine.
ArthGuinness
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 3:33 p.m.
They wouldn't start because of a mechanical issue, or they wouldn't start because the thieves were incompetent?