Chevy Malibus in the Crosshairs.
If you own a Chevrolet Malibu in the Downriver communities of Riverview and Southgate, you may want to keep a vigilant eye on your vehicle. A string of steering wheel thefts has local police scratching their heads, as thieves increasingly focus on extracting valuable airbags from Malibu models.
A Timeline of Unfolding Incidents
On the morning of August 17th, Riverview police received multiple reports of Malibus with missing steering wheels. The first came at 6:44 a.m., from a resident living on the 14600 block of Shenandoah. Her 2021 Malibu RS was found with a shattered front driver-side window and a completely cracked windshield. The steering column was gone.
Later that morning, two more thefts occurred in Riverview. A resident on the 14900 block of Shenandoah reported a shattered back window on his 2020 Malibu, with the steering wheel missing. Moments later, another report came from Pennsylvania Road, where a thief smashed the rear driver-side window of a 2020 Malibu to snatch the steering wheel.
By 1:30 p.m., another resident on Fort Street reported a similar break-in. Her 2019 Malibu had its driver-side window shattered, and the steering wheel was missing.
More Cases in Southgate
But Riverview isn't the only community facing this disturbing trend. On July 27, Southgate police dealt with a series of four similar thefts. Most were from the Southpointe Apartments on Grace Court. Malibu owners reported shattered windows and stolen steering wheels. In one case, the thief was even bold enough to smash two car windows during the heist.
An Isolated but Troubling Incident
While not directly tied to the string of steering wheel thefts, Southgate residents were further unsettled when a 2014 Dodge Charger was reported stolen on the same day of the multiple Malibu incidents. Though the car itself was the target this time, the owner had left his wallet inside, resulting in another layer of complications.
Heightened Concerns
Local authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities around parked vehicles. With the value of these stolen steering wheels listed at around $2,400, the thieves seem to be growing bolder. Car owners are advised to employ added security measures, such as surveillance cameras and alarm systems, to deter potential thieves.
Law enforcement agencies in both communities are stepping up patrols and are looking for any leads that may help them crack down on this disturbing spree of thefts targeting Chevrolet Malibus.
Source: News Harold
