A bevy of Chevrolet Camaros (including some desirable ZL1 derivatives) are likely to be relegated to the scrap heap after nine thieves helped themselves to the muscle cars and led law enforcement on a lengthy police pursuit. Before their arrest, the suspects reportedly broke into GM's Lansing plant and stole five brand new examples.

MSP First District took to Twitter to report the incident, noting that patrolling troopers hit the I-96 after a BOL (Be On Lookout) was put out for the stolen vehicles. Responding officers located the quintet of speeding muscle cars and attempted to make multiple traffic stops but the thieves were adamant to escape with the pricey coupes - the five cars are reported to be valued at over $375,000.

Alas, the wily car thieves proved no match for pursuing officers. After a lengthy chase that stretched across the Ingham, Livingston, and Oakland Counties, the Camaros met an untimely end. The deployment of stop sticks disabled the speeding Camaros and, unfortunately, resulted in the valuable Chevy's leaving the road and crashing.

Based on the images below, some of the cars sustained significant damage and will most likely be written off by GM's insurers - it's unlikely these examples will ever make it to customers. Aged between 20 and 24, the suspects will be brought up on charges including resisting and obstructing the law, conspiracy to commit an illegal act, and receiving and concealing of stolen vehicles. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.

This is bad news to anyone waiting on a ZL1. Due to supply constraints, General Motors has had an issue with supplying 1LE-equipped cars to customers. This is reportedly down to the automotive conglomerate not being able to secure enough carbon fiber for parts such as the rear wing. This isn't the first time a criminal has gotten into trouble with a Camaro.

In January, a 42-year-old dealership employee was arrested for impersonating an officer after performing an illegal traffic stop. The suspect was reportedly driving a police-spec Camaro that was at his place of employment for maintenance work.

While it's unlikely that the nine suspects involved in this mass Camaro theft will be nominated for an IQ Award, the group of would-be car thieves comes out looking like brainiacs when compared to this thief who stole an Audi A4 with a sleeping occupant in the passenger seat.