The seven people involved have been arraigned in the 35th District Court and can therefore be named. Migel Santiago, Oliaran Pernell, Samir Rashed, Julian Lyles, Dominick Dumont, Abdulfattah Hamed, and Janisse Moss are all between the ages of 19 and 21. Six of the seven face multiple charges, but Hamed is only charged with receiving and concealing stolen property.
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s office charged the remaining six with conducting a criminal enterprise and receiving and concealing goods. The prosecutors clearly want to make an example, with the criminal enterprise charge carrying a maximum of 20 years behind bars. Grand theft auto only has a maximum of three years, and probation is typically given to first-time offenders.
It may be a good idea to use the six as an example, as kids as young as 11 have tried poaching cars from plants. At the time, Police Lieutenant Clive Stewart stated that kids think it’s fun and that there’s no real penalty to pay.
This latest batch of arrests might change this ridiculous misconception.