Watch the arrest. She uses automobiles as bait, with the keys in the ignition as an irresistible lure and a satellite tracking system positioned high above the earth to reel them in. Plus, there's the hidden video camera making sure the catch doesn't slip the hook going through the court system. A slam dunk' High-tech bait car programs are now used by at least 40 police departments in 15 states as a tool to help reduce vehicle thefts. Within the last two years, more than 100 car thieves have taken the bait and been arrested, according to an official with the company that provides the satellite tracking to lawmen.
Police can even order the ignition of the car switched off on command.
It' s neat. Police can even rig the bait-mobiles with cameras and provide video of the actual theft to prosecutors. Fla. All claim some degree of success. But the Minneapolis program appears the most extensive, having grown from a pilot project with one bait car to eight, Lindner said. While some law enforcement agencies hide the fact that they use dummy cars, fearing publicity will scare off the thieves, Minneapolis police publicize the program, using television commercials, billboard warnings and the news media to make thieves think twice about stealing cars.