Man carjacked, forced to strip in Southfield

Similar case reported Tuesday on Detroit's east side

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – A man was carjacked and forced to strip in Southfield early Wednesday morning.

It happened about 3 a.m. on the man’s street just north of 8 Mile and Evergreen. He was behind the wheel of his Porsche Cayenne at the time. That’s when men in a dark colored Chrysler came out of nowhere and started flashing lights at the man.

He thought they were police. They were armed with a shotgun and made him get out of his car and strip as they stole his SUV.

The man knocked on a neighbor's door for help. 

"He said he was going to the gas station and a car pulled up next to him, flashes a blue light at him. So he pulled over thinking it was police. They pulled out a shotgun and three guys jumped out," said George Rayis, the man's neighbor. 

On Tuesday, the driver of a Mercedes was made to strip as he was being carjacked on Detroit’s east side. It’s unclear if the crimes are connected. 

Read update: Southfield carjacking victim says he survived by telling gunmen he's a dad

Southfield police put out a news release Wednesday morning with more information including descriptions of the attackers and the stolen vehicle's license plate number: 

The victim, a 30-year old resident of Southfield, was driving from his home when he saw a blue or green-colored older model Chrysler vehicle pull behind him. There was a blue flashing light on the dashboard of the vehicle and the victim believed it was a police car.  He pulled over and the vehicle pulled alongside him. The front passenger pointed a shotgun at the victim as he and two other suspects got out of the car. The suspect with the shotgun ordered the victim to get out of his car. The victim was ordered to take off his pants and shoes. The suspects stole the victim’s black 2006 Porsche Cayenne, along with his pants and shoes. The Chrysler was driven by a fourth suspect who never got out of the vehicle.  Both vehicles left the scene eastbound on Westland, driving toward Evergreen Rd.

All of the suspects are described as black males between the ages of 18 and 24. The suspect with the shotgun had light skin, short hair, and no facial hair. He was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and jeans.  There is no further description available of the other suspects.  The shotgun had a long barrel and was all black.

The license plate on the stolen black Porsche Cayenne is MI/DQH5989.

Citizens are cautioned that if they are being pulled over and they are not certain that it is really the police, they should turn on their hazard lights and drive slowly to a well-lit or occupied area. They can also call 9-1-1 to verify that it is really the police.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Southfield Police Department at 248-796-5500.   

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About the Authors:

Local 4 Defender Shawn Ley is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been with Local 4 News for more than a decade.