But an Elmore Leonard novel would have included at least one street-wise white guy from the Detroit area, maybe St. Clair Shores or East Detroit, a guy who used to hustle stolen cars but who's moved up to art theft because you're less likely to get caught, or to get sent to Jackson or Milan if you do.
You're right, of course. However, if this case gets any crazier, they might just find a Detroit petty criminal had some involvement. Then my analogy will be proven correct.