Thieves steal car from soldier who set up Detroit neighborhood watch

Dodge Charger stolen from man who served tour of duty in Afghanistan

DETROIT – A man who helped set up a neighborhood watch in his community after serving a tour of duty in Afghanistan became a crime victim at home.

When Jerome Boyd returned from his tour in Afghanistan he decided to come home to Detroit.

"I'm pro-Detroit. I love the city," said Boyd. "I always felt that this city has given so much to me. I wanted to be a part of the solution. I want to stay in the city."

He wanted to give back to his community, even heading his neighborhood watch.

"I want to be a cop, want to work for (the Detroit Police Department), be able to help people," said Boyd.

But now he's a victim of exactly what he's been trying to keep out of his community. Thieves stole one of his most prized possessions -- his decked-out Dodge Charger.

"I don't have a ride to get back and forth to work. My car is everything," Boyd said. "One thing I hate is a thief because I work hard for every little thing I do have."

Sunday he was sleeping after a long day at drill.

"Something woke me up at 4:35, I looked out and my car was gone," said Boyd.

His car was stolen right out of his driveway.

Detroit police are trying to get a grip on the car theft problem. Car thefts are down 18 percent versus this time last year. This year citywide there's been 8,936 cars stolen, but thieves are still at work, especially in Boyd's area near the 6th Precinct. So far this year, 780 cars have been stolen in the area.

"They're taking these cars because shops are giving them money to chop it up," said Boyd.

But for this soldier, he's not giving up on his city.

"All I can do now is move on and hope police find it," Boyd said.