Police Bait Car Is Missing

[Beagle]

Police Bait Car Works A Bit Too Well

Department Loses Car After GPS System Fails



DALLAS -- Dallas police say a car intended to bait thieves into stealing it worked, but then experienced a critical failure.

It sounds like a good plan. Plant a car with the intention of someone stealing it. And it's worked -- a little too well.

Police in Dallas said one of their so-called "bait" cars is missing.

The cars are equipped with high-tech tracking devices, so police can catch the thieves. But a bait car stolen last Friday night suffered a computer glitch that has taken the cars' GPS system offline, and allowed the car thief to vanish without a trace.

The car is gone and police can't find it.

When they work correctly, a thief steals the bait car and the GPS system allows authorities to track the car until responding officers can make an arrest.

"The GPS system tells us where they are at and how fast they are going," said Lt. Rick Watson of the Dallas Police Department. "We want the car stolen. Yes, we do. But, then we want it recovered with the individual that stole it."

After days of searching, Dallas police still want the thief, but they also want their car back.

Watson said officials didn't want to reveal the car's make or model or disclose where it was stolen for fear that the thief might destroy the car.

"Really what we are hoping for right now is the individual that took it -- doesn't realize what he has," said Watson.

This is only the second time a stolen Dallas police bait car has gone missing. With the last incident, officials found the car intact inside a chop shop.

Officers made four arrests after that car was found and are hoping for a similar outcome this time around.

[cherandbuster]

Beagle

That's a great post! :guitarist

[Beagle]

cherandbuster wrote: Beagle

That's a great post! :guitarist


I thought that was a funny story. The very thing that is supposed to track the car (GPS) and ultimately catch the thieves is what breaks allowing them to steal it! Priceless!!:wah: