Thieves have taken dozens of infotainment systems in Ram trucks for several months in Macomb County, authorities said, but one recent arrest may provide a break in the cases.
Rajah Jamir Pritchard-Dixon, 18, of Detroit was being held in the county jail Monday, June 15, after his arrest June 12 on one count each of breaking and entering a vehicle with damage to the vehicle and attempted larceny from a vehicle, both felonies, according to the sheriff’s office’s Macomb Auto Theft Squad.
He pleaded not guilty during arraignment in 37th District Court in Warren and is being held on a $50,000 cash or surety bond that requires a tether if he posts bond and is released, according to online court records and a sheriff’s office release.
No attorney is listed for him in online court records, which list a May 22 offense date. He is scheduled for a probable cause conference June 25.
Since April, the Macomb Auto Theft Squad has been investigating 29 thefts of Ram infotainment systems reported in Warren, Eastpointe, Roseville and St. Clair Shores, according to a sheriff’s office release.
Sgt. Cameron Wright of the auto theft squad said Pritchard-Dixon is accused of breaking out a window of a Ram and trying to steal an infotainment screen, leaving behind evidence tying him to the crime.
A search at Pritchard-Dixon’s home in the 21600 block of Moross, between I-94 and Mack Avenue, turned up four Ram infotainment screens and modules believed to have been taken from vehicles in St. Clair Shores between June 9-10, the sheriff’s office and Wright said. Authorities said additional property reported stolen from vehicles also was recovered.
Wright said back windows were broken out and wires were cut from the systems. He said Pritchard-Dixon could face additional charges.
Wright said others may be involved as this type of crime often is more than a one-person job, involving a driver or lookout, and can be very costly for victims.
He said access often is gained through a rear window or by pulling on a door handle. Thieves climb in, cut the wires and remove the screen and “in a matter of minutes” can “be in and out and on their way.”
Victims, he said, may have to have their vehicles rewired after such a theft, costing thousands of dollars, possibly up to $12,000.
“It’s a big problem with the citizens, for sure,” he said.
Wright said the infotainment systems often control conveniences for the owner of the vehicle, such as the radio, navigation and climate control.
In a statement, Stellantis said the company “takes the safety and security of our customers very seriously.”
“We design, engineer and develop all our vehicles to meet or exceed all applicable federal standards for safety and security. While such events are rare, they are not exclusive to any make or model of vehicle. Stellantis uses industry-standard vehicle security technology. And as with other vehicle features, we are engaged in continuous product improvement. Notwithstanding, we urge all motorists to take due care in securing their vehicles,” the company statement said.
In August 2025, the Macomb Auto Theft Squad said it was investigating 87 reports of stolen Ram truck infotainment screens since February 2025. Wright said three people were arrested in connection with the incidents and authorities noticed a decrease in such crimes in the fall.
Then, they noticed an uptick in such thefts this spring in Macomb County, especially in the four southern communities.
Wright said authorities are trying to determine why such infotainment screens are so hot. They speculate it’s because they’re easy to remove and it’s quick to get in and out of the vehicles.
Wright said the stolen items could be sold on the black market or on Facebook Marketplace. He said the larger 12-inch screens appear to be targeted and could be sold for less than $1,000, which is less than the several thousand dollars that they are worth.
Wright said he was aware of similar crimes in Wayne County, particularly in the Moross area and the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods.
In November, Grosse Pointe Farms Public Safety alerted residents to an increase in thefts targeting infotainment systems, particularly Ram trucks and other Dodge products. In a release at that time, public safety said metro Detroit agencies had reported a spike in those incidents over several weeks.
Thieves forcibly entered parked vehicles and removed the dashboard touchscreen units and associated electronic modules in overnight thefts that took just minutes, public safety said at the time.
It said the systems can cost several thousand dollars to replace, and the crimes − at least at that time − were believed to be part of a coordinated effort targeting Dodge vehicles across southeast Michigan.
Public safety offered some tips: keep vehicles in a locked garage or well-lit area; don’t leave valuables or visible electronic devices inside vehicles; install a security camera or motion-activated light near driveways to enhance security, and immediately report suspicious activity, such as people looking into vehicles, loitering in driveways or driving vehicles slowly through neighborhoods late at night.
Wright added that residents could park their vehicle in a backyard or install an aftermarket alarm on the vehicle to try to prevent such thefts. Also, he said, not to park on the street or in the driveway toward the street, if possible.
Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Thieves are targeting Ram infotainment systems in Macomb County
Reporting by Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
