Ryan ChartrandA new technique developed by the San Luis Obispo Police Department called a “bait car” has aided in catching a local thief, police said.
Matthew Nelson, 19, of San Luis Obispo, was arrested and booked on felony grand theft charges earlier this month after stealing property from a vehicle parked on the 300 block of Chorro Street, police said.
Apparently Nelson picked the wrong car, since the non-descript vehicle was actually donated by McCarthy Wholesale as part of a community program where police plant property in cars and then wait for thieves to take the “bait.”
In Nelson’s case, police planted a laptop computer and iPod in the unlocked vehicle. Once he removed the items, undercover officers apprehended Nelson.
“I’m not surprised they caught someone,” said Cal Poly economics senior Jennifer Kent, who lives and parks on Chorro Street. “I know people, including myself, who have been affected by car thieves. Hopefully this will remind them to be more careful when leaving their cars parked on the street,” she said.
The “bait car” program is a response to an increased number of reports of property thefts from vehicles during December and January. According to police, car burglaries are the most frequently committed felony in San Luis Obispo County. Common items reported stolen are laptops, iPods, purses and cell phones; most are often taken from unlocked vehicles, though are sometimes obtained by forced entry.
SLOPD has also increased the number of uniformed officers patrolling certain neighborhoods to combat the problem.
“The multi-apartment complex neighborhoods seem most affected, but all neighborhoods are experiencing the problem,” said Lt. Steve Tolley of SLOPD.
Days before Nelson was caught, police arrested a 15-year-old boy near Sandercock and Hutton streets after someone reported seeing him breaking into vehicles. Police said the boy used a flashlight to look inside vehicles for valuable items.
Police are urging people to remove valuable property from their vehicles and to lock car doors when leaving it unattended.
“If you leave your valuables in plain sight, you’re much more likely to be a victim,” Tolley said.