Tourists carjacked while taking photos at Packard Plant

October 19, 201319 CommentsRead More

Two tourists who drove to the abandoned Packard Plant this afternoon to take photos of the historic ruins were carjacked by two men, one of them armed.

Police said the Texas and Ypsilanti tourists were robbed of their 2004 Pontiac Vibe, $143, wallets, cell phones and a Canon camera at East Grand Boulevard and Concord, where a brick overpass once read, “Motor City Industrial Park.”

The tourists were not injured.

The carjacking is just the latest attack at the sprawling, collapsing Packard Plant, which has become a lawless wasteland where fires burn unabated, thugs target unsuspecting gawkers and thieves openly tear apart the concrete bones for scrap metal.

Shortly after the 1:40 p.m. carjacking, lawlessness returned to the Packard Plant. Scrappers casually removed metal from one of the buildings using high-powered saws.

Sgt. Detroit police spokeswoman Kelly Miner told us they were looking for black males, one of them 25 years old, 5-foot-10, clean-shaven, dark complexion and dark skull cap. The other is about 40 years old, dark complexion, salt-and-pepper beard, wearing a burgundy sweater.

Other stories about the Packard Plant:

• Packard Plant fetches $21,000 bid from anonymous investor
• Packard Plant burns; developer misses deadline to buy ruins
• Search for $10,000 leads to dingy sofa at Packard Plant
• Scrapping industry fights off new reforms
• Bing’s administration won’t stop illegal scrapping that is endangering Detroiters
• Investigation: Scrapyard near abandoned Packard Plant dishes out cash for stolen metal
• Investigation: Thieves tear apart Packard Plant for scrap metal in broad daylight; neighbors at risk