A man accused of being part of an auto-theft that targeted Dodge Durango SUVs hesitated but eventually waived his right Tuesday to a preliminary examination in district court.

David Pierre Franklin, 41, of Detroit, initially indicated to Judge Michal Chupa of 37th District Court in Warren that he wanted the hearing to be held, though Franklin showed signs of consternation over the decision while interacting at the defense table with his attorney, Kevin Bessant.

“It’s your decision, it’s your case,” Bessant told him in front of Chupa.

Bessant indicated to Chupa he engaged in extensive discussions with Franklin over the decision in a holding cell at the courthouse. Franklin also mentioned his mother, who was at the courthouse and was seen talking to Bessant.

When the first witness, a plain-clothes police officer, took the stand, was sworn in and was about to be questioned by Assistant Macomb County Prosecutor Jeffery Hall, Bessant spoke up and said his client indicated he wanted to forgo the exam.

Over the next few minutes, Chupa emphasized to Franklin he had a right to the hearing and that waiving that right while waiving it would mean binding over the case to the higher court, Macomb County Circuit Court, where it will be resolved.

Chupa reminded Franklin a preliminary examination determines whether there is sufficient evidence on the probable cause that a crime was committed and the defendant is responsible. Franklin quietly affirmed he understood.

He and co-defendant Barron Hatcher Jr., 24, are charged with operating a criminal enterprise, aka racketeering, and possession of burglary tools. The racketeering charge is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

The pair is accused of stealing more than 25 Dodge Durangos from metro Detroit auto dealerships, such as from Galeana’s Van Dyke Dodge/Ram on Van Dyke in Warren and dealerships in Troy, Highland Township and Grand Blanc

Investigators from the Macomb Auto Theft Squad and three other agencies determined last fall the suspects were using an AutoProPad device to simultaneously steal multiple Durango SUVs, officials said. Investigators recovered “numerous” vehicles and connected the suspects to other alleged crimes in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties, they said.

Thieves in recent years have been using AutoProPads, which are typically carried by locksmiths, mechanics and dealerships, to enter vehicles with key fobs and/or push-button starts, attach it to the vehicle’s computer system and transfer the key information to a blank key fob they possess, officials said.

Their use has contributed to an increase in auto thefts in recent years in Michigan.

New laws that took effect last October make it a crime to possess or use such a device for an illegitimate purpose. The laws make it a five-year felony to possess one and a 10-year felony to deploy it.

Franklin remains held in the county jail in lieu of a $1 million bond and faces a May 5 arraignment in front of Macomb Circuit Judge Matthew Sabaugh. He also faces a burglary charge in Westland, according to jail records.

Hatcher, who previously waived his exam, in February rejected an offer from Hall to plead guilty to the charges and receive a sentence of five years in prison. He is being held in lieu of a $500,000 bond, faces a May 21 pretrial and October jury trial in front of Sabaugh.