Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department apprehended two men following a months-long investigation into thefts of new Dodge Ram trucks in Marion County.
According to court documents, the IMPD collaborated with the Carmel Police Department to arrest Makhai Cox, 21, and Ronald McDuffey, 26. According to the documents, a drone observed the suspects consistently targeting factory-installed infotainment and UConnect systems from Dodge Ram trucks.
In nearly every incident, the suspects allegedly gained entry by breaking the rear side windows and then removing the dashboard-mounted infotainment system or media display.
During the inquiry, police discovered over 30 incidents at hotels near the Keystone Crossing area.
On May 16, the two men’s were arrested in connection with a single incident. According to court filings, an officer using a drone spotted the following:
- Cox, the driver, exited the vehicle. Cox looks around for few seconds, possibly looking for anyone watching.
- Cox appears to place something against the rear passenger window.
- Cox could be seen reaching into the rear driver side of a Kia, grabbing something from inside. Cox then pushes onto the rear passenger window of the Ram, pushing the glass into the truck.
- Cox climbs into the Ram through the busted rear passenger window.
- Officers could see the hazard lights of the Ram flash briefly. Officers observed that Cox was sitting in the front left seat (driver seat) of the Ram and is messing with the dash.
- An officer noticed that there was a front seat passenger inside of the Kia. The officer notified other officers that at least two people were inside the Kia.
- Cox tosses something from the rear passenger window of the Ram into the rear driver side window of the Kia.
Following that, Cox reportedly loads the RAM’s information into the Kia and begins driving away. IMPD then tried to conduct a traffic stop on the Kia, but Cox is said to have sped away. Officers then chased the Kia for about four minutes before the Kia collides with a concrete wall., according to court documents.
The front passenger exited the vehicle and was arrested. He was later identified as McDuffey. Cox was also arrested.
Upon searching the Kia and Cox, court documents say officers found a .40 caliber Glock 23 and $424.
According to court filings, the disconnected U-Connect device from the Ram seen by the drone was located behind the driver’s seat. Officers also said they found a drill-like tool, ammunition, pliers, a window punch device, Dodge key fobs and more.
Cox is charged with resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, criminal mischief, and theft of motor parts.
McDuffey is charged with unauthorized possession of a handgun by a prohibited person and helping a criminal.
Later, IMPD obtained a warrant to search Cox’s home with SWAT.
According to court records, authorities discovered a stolen pistol, firearm attachments such as ammo and lights, body armor, iPhones, and a 3D printer that officers think was used to build gun parts.
Upon searching the iPhones, detectives say they observed the alleged stolen gun in photos and shared multiple times by Cox.
According to online court records, Cox faces additional charges for two counts of possession of a machine gun and resisting law enforcement using a vehicle. McDuffey is also charged with unlawful carrying of a firearm with a past felony conviction and illegal use of a police radio.
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