Jul 2, 2009

Setting Bait to Catch Car Thieves

Catching car thieves sometimes takes more than just patience and persistence -- it takes bait. For the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office auto theft task force in Oakland County, Mich., that bait is a specially altered vehicle that is strategically placed in high-theft areas around the county to lure auto thieves. The car was donated by auto insurance company Geico.

The bait-car program was started in the county earlier this year after the sheriff’s office noticed an uptick in auto theft throughout the area. It allows officers to catch car thieves in the act of stealing the bait car, effectively limiting future residential vehicle thefts by taking the felons out of circulation and tossing them into the Graybar Hotel.

“Most people who steal these types of vehicles are part of a theft ring that may be involved in other illegal activity like drugs or carjackings,” said Oakland County sheriff Michael Bouchard. “By using the bait car, we are able to get these people off the street and push down the frequency of auto theft. Once we get auto theft in an area down, it helps reduce other crimes and helps push insurance rates down.”

Geico says it constantly works with local law enforcement and community groups to help reduce auto theft in communities around the nation. In addition to working with Oakland County sheriff’s office through the bait car program, the company is also working closely with the department’s auto theft task force to shut down fraudulent insurance card rings that contribute to the county’s theft and crime issues.

“Auto theft not only deprives customers of their vehicles but also puts people in more danger since people who take stolen cars are often involved in accidents or other crimes,” said Steven Rutzebeck, Geico’s special investigations unit manager. “Bait car donations give us the opportunity to reduce theft, sometimes lowering insurance rates, and increase public safety in these areas.”

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