Shots fired during attempted robbery at Chevy dealership in Eastpointe; one of three dealers targeted overnight

(WWJ) Metro Detroit-area auto dealerships are increasingly becoming the targets of thieves, with three of them hit overnight.

WWJ's Charlie Langton reports all three of the crimes happened within just hours of each other, in Eastpointe and Detroit.

At the Genesis Chevrolet on Gratiot Ave., north of 8 Mile, police said shots were fired.

"It's a scary situation over here," Langton reported. "The preliminary investigation reveals that the suspects smashed a garage door on the east side of the dealership. They couldn't get in because the dealership puts cars in front of the garages."

When they realized they couldn't get away with any cars, and encountered some security guards, the suspects fired shots on the way out, Langton said.

There were no injuries reported.

Langton asked Rob Gagliano, co-owner of Genesis, what he thinks the crooks are doing with these stolen vehicles.

"I think they're using these cars for other crimes," Gagliano said. "I think, they're stealing the cars, they're using them for drive by shootings, drug deals. They're stealing ATM machines; they're driving into a convenience stores, all kinds of things."

Gagliano said this isn't the first time his dealership has been targeted by thieves.

What he's going to do now?

"I don't know," he told Langton. "I'm getting tired of making police reports; I'm getting tired of fixing doors and fixing cars. I'm at the end of my wits with this."

The other two dealerships hit early Thursday morning were Detroit, at 8 Mile Rd. and John R Rd., and 8 Mile and Mound Rd. Only one car was taken: a Dodge Challenger R/T, Langton said.

No arrests have been made, and no suspects have been subscribed in connection with any of the three cases.

Both Eastpointe Police and Detroit Police continue to investigate.