Lathrup Village Community Leader Facing Felony Auto Theft Charges
- Alison Rankin
- May 12
- 1 min read
Alison Rankin | May 12, 2026
LATHRUP VILLAGE, MI — A prominent figure in the Lathrup Village community and founder of a local youth mentoring organization is facing several felony charges following a major law enforcement operation this week.
Mark Orlando Watts, who serves as president of the Lathrup Village Chamber of Commerce and founded the “Boys 2 Men” program, was taken into custody on Monday, May 4, 2026, after the Oakland County Auto Theft Task Force executed search warrants at his residence and business.
Neighbors reported a heavy police presence, with more than a dozen vehicles at the scene as investigators removed firearms, evidence bags, and multiple vehicles from the property.
The legal proceedings began the following day, May 5, when Watts was formally arraigned on three counts of receiving or concealing a stolen motor vehicle and one count involving forged license documents or plates.
According to investigators, the case stemmed from a traffic stop on April 29, during which officers allegedly discovered that Watts was operating a vehicle with a “retagged” or altered identification number. Subsequent inspections at his business, Quality Auto Sales on Fenkell Avenue in Detroit, reportedly uncovered two additional stolen vehicles.
While Watts has entered a not guilty plea and was released on a $25,000 personal bond, he is scheduled to return to court for a probable cause conference on May 18.
Sources: ClickOnDetroit, CBS News Detroit
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