A Michigan father, his two sons, and a Ford employee have been arrested after police uncovered a sophisticated theft ring that operated for over two years. The ring involved siphoning brand-new vehicle parts off Ford assembly lines and reselling them on eBay, authorities revealed.

The arrests of the four individuals took place on May 6 in coordinated raids across Dearborn, Canton, and Detroit following an extensive investigation by law enforcement.

Dearborn Police disclosed that the family collaborated with the Ford employee, based in Canton, to funnel stolen parts to Detroit businesses. These businesses then sold the components online and through local auto shops.

Investigators found that the operation targeted Ford’s Rouge Complex in Dearborn, the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, and the Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Flat Rock, which manufacture popular models like the F-150, Bronco, Ranger, and Mustang.

The theft ring primarily focused on high-value items such as bumpers, hoods, running boards, headlights, and taillights. When executing search warrants, law enforcement officers discovered warehouses filled with new auto parts.

The arrested individuals could face charges including grand theft auto, racketeering, and operating a criminal enterprise pending an official indictment from Wayne County prosecutors.

Ford’s internal security team played a crucial role in uncovering the theft ring by flagging inventory discrepancies across multiple plants, leading to a broader investigation by authorities.

The local businesses involved in reselling the stolen auto parts have been shut down during the raids, with the possibility of remaining closed throughout the investigation. Law enforcement is working to permanently shut down these businesses.