Overview

PATU is the Prosecutor Auto Theft Unit for the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. This unit handles most crimes related to motor vehicles, including vehicle theft, chop shops, insurance fraud, identity theft and fleeing cases. PATU is partially funded by a grant from the Automobile Theft Prevention Authority. PATU works closely with auto insurance companies and police departments within Wayne County.

Once a warrant request is initiated by a police agency, a specialized PATU prosecutor oversees the case from beginning (investigation) to end (sentencing). Since the creation of PATU over 25 years ago, auto theft related crimes in Wayne County has decreased over 60%. PATU averages 1,900 new cases per year.