Michigan Family Has Two Cars Stolen In Weeks

Read the full story on The Auto Wire

A Kentwood, MI family has experienced the shock of having not one, but two of their cars stolen from their driveway within a span of just a few weeks. The Alberich family first lost their 2020 Limited Edition Jeep Grand Cherokee, purchased for $30,000 six months prior, to thieves who later crashed it in East Grand Rapids, rendering it completely ruined.

The second incident occurred about three weeks later when Randi Alberich's 2016 Chevy Tahoe, which she had bought four years ago for $42,000, also disappeared from their driveway. The Tahoe, deeply cherished by the family, especially their daughter, was later recovered, but not in the condition they remembered. After being driven for an additional 2,000 miles by the thieves, the Tahoe returned with numerous mechanical and physical damages, making it barely recognizable and potentially totaled.

Watch an amazing chase involving a suspect in a Jeep here.

Amidst their ordeal, the Alberichs discovered several personal items, including a treasured necklace belonging to their late son, scattered on a nearby street. This loss added a deeper emotional layer to their already distressing situation. The family, temporarily left without a vehicle, had to rely on insurance to purchase a used truck, using the $25,000 received for their wrecked Jeep.

The thefts, believed to be the work of a group of teenagers, are part of a larger trend in Kent County, where vehicle thefts are nearing last year's total of 360. The Kent County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed reports of both thefts, and although suspects have not been arrested, investigations are ongoing.

The incidents have left the Alberich family grappling with a profound sense of violation and a lingering fear for their security. Despite understanding the youthfulness of the alleged culprits, the family yearns for justice while also hoping the perpetrators find a better path in life. The events have transformed their everyday behaviors, with sleepless nights and constant vigilance becoming their new norm.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is encouraged to contact Kentwood police or Silent Observer, as the family and the community seek closure and safety reassurance.