Two arrested for stealing bait car

Two males were arrested on Tuesday after attempting to steal Columbia Police Department's bait car.

By Austin Alonzo

Published Aug. 29, 2008

Columbia police said two 15-year-old males attempted to steal a vehicle Tuesday evening in southwest Columbia only to have the engine manually stopped by the department.

The car had been placed in the area earlier by Columbia police as part of their bait car program.

"We chose that particular location as we had seen a substantial increase in thefts from autos in that particular part of town," CPD Capt. Brad Nelson said.

The car was stolen from Cheryl Court and Arlene Drive at approximately 11 p.m., only hours after its deployment to the area, a CPD news release stated.

Police responded to the area and were directed to the vehicle by Public Safety Joint Communications dispatchers.

The vehicle was stopped remotely as it traveled on Scott Boulevard. The vehicle came to a complete stop near the Georgetown Loop.

The two suspects were taken into custody without incident, the news release stated.

Both suspects were detained on felony tampering charges. The passenger also charged with misdemeanor stealing after he was found to be in possession of a cell phone stolen from the bait car.

After questioning, one suspect was taken to the Boone County Juvenile Justice Center and the other suspect was released to his parent.

The bait car program has been in effect in Columbia since January.

"We have made eight arrests including both stealing the bait car and stealing items from the bait car since January," Nelson said.

Bait cars are specially outfitted with special audio and video surveillance equipment. Police departments leave the car and wait for potential car thieves to be drawn into a trap. When the car is stolen, police can easily locate it, stop the engine and lock the suspects inside.

Nelson reported overall auto theft has dropped 36 percent since last year.

"This is a result of both the bait car program itself and the extensive advertising we have done about the program," Nelson said. "Knowledge of the program in itself has proven to be a deterrence."