The Sheriff's Office Bait Cars

Tonight we aired our inside look at the Lee County sheriff's office bait car... It's a story I have been chasing for about two years now. It took this long to do because there were problems with the bait car system, then the Auto theft unit didn't want the community to know what car they were using. The timing finally worked out as the unit is changing out bait cars.

During our two days with the Auto Theft Task Force, we planted the car at convenience stores. With the car running we hoped to catch someone in the act of stealing the car. We had a few people give the car a second look... But no one took the bait. I didn't honestly think we would catch someone... Because the act of stealing this car is a crime of opportunity. It would be luck catching it on camera.

In tonight's story you saw two people caught stealing the bait car earlier this year. We told you Reggi Webb is awaiting trial. Well so is Calvin Mitchell, who Webb tried to sell the car to for drugs. It turns out Mitchell, a career criminal, bonded out 10 days after his arrest. Just hours later he refused to pull over for speeding... Leading Cape Coral Police on a four hour chase. Officers eventually caught him hiding in bushes. Sounds like Mitchell should avoid playing the lottery.

I think the next bait car is going to be very successful. As Detective Brian Gregory put it... The thieves are looking to steal something flashy... Something they want to be seen in. Let's face it a Mitsubishi Galant isn't exactly the ride most people would want to steal. Other agencies in Southwest Florida have bait cars or have access to them. However it seems like they don't use them all to often. Bait cars can sit anywhere for days, and don't need a stake out. When the car is activated, the agency is paged. With that said I would like to see law enforcement use the bait cars more often... after all the more they are used... The more likely they can catch career criminals like Calvin Mitchell.

However keeping them locked up... Is another story.