The Arlington Police Department says it caught a man on video attempting to steal a bait car that was planted on on the 500 block of Woodcrest Lane. It was an attempt that failed.
The video shows the man breaking in, then spending several minutes laboring with what appears to be a tool on the steering wheel. Police say he was trying to start the car, but it didn’t work.
“It could be lack of experience, lack of knowledge, maybe this vehicle was one that he was not familiar with. There are multiple reasons why he couldn't actually get the vehicle started,” said Tiara Ellis Richard, APD spokesperson. "We have his video surveillance showing a really good solid image of him, so we're hoping someone somewhere knows him and will call police."
Richard said the video element of the bait car program is the most critical part as it's difficult to deny video evidence in court.
The mere fact that the man was in the vehicle attempting to steal it, added Richard, is enough to constitute a crime.
"Actually attempting to steal a vehicle is a crime in the state of Texas. So that process alone is enough for officers to take him into custody," she said.
Richard stresses that just because a thief is unsuccessful once, doesn't mean he won't try again.
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"The goal is to get this guy off the street before he actually steals another vehicle or tries to break in to one," stressed Richard.
Anyone with information about the man in the video is asked to contact authorities.
