The recent arrests of three car thieves by the Victoria Police Department show bait cars work.
The first arrest took place Sept. 14, when officers stopped a man with no criminal record who was attempting to steal a laptop from a bait car.
“In this case, we’re working with the offender, who has no prior criminal history, to pursue restorative justice,” said Const. David Bratzer.
A Sept. 23 break-in and attempted theft (see video below) shows Jason Clarke, 41, breaking into a bait car, which had a "Bait Car" sticker emblazoned on its windscreen. Clarke pleaded guilty to theft under $5,000 and possession of break-in instruments. He's now serving a six-month jail sentence and will face one year probation after that, Bratzer said.
“It’s important for criminals to understand that any vehicle could be a bait car – even one that comes with a warning sticker," he added.
Cameron Stewart, a 25-year-old Victoria resident, was also caught breaking into a bait car Sept. 17. He was sentenced Friday to 110 days in jail, Bratzer said.
Bait cars are parked around Victoria and Esquimalt throughout the year by VicPD officers.