MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – Michigan legislature passed a bipartisan safety bill in July 2024 that would make it illegal to possess and use key-programming devices to steal cars known as ProPAD devices.
Officials said thieves can use it to steal a car in a matter of minutes.
Car thefts have been a growing concern in Metro Detroit in recent years. State lawmakers said they hope this kind of legislation will give Michigan drivers more peace of mind.
On Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel and the sheriff’s office held a press conference to show what ProPADs are and how dangerous they can be when used.
A ProPAD’s intended use is for locksmiths and dealerships to change locks, but officials said in the press conference on Monday that recently it’s been misused.
Under the new law, it is a five-year felony to possess a ProPAD and a ten-year felony if someone is caught using it.
