Marysville bait car thief escapes cops’ trap

Published 11:17 pm Friday, February 15, 2008

MARYSVILLE — A man who stole a bait car from a park-and-ride lot was able to dash from the vehicle before he could be trapped inside, police said Friday.

Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies are searching for the man, who was caught on video inside the Community Transit bait car on Sunday. He is described as white, in his late 20s to early 30s, with a slim build. He was wearing a light-colored hooded coat.

The theft happened about 5 a.m. Sunday from the park-and-ride lot on Ash Avenue, Snohomish County sheriff’s spokeswoman Rebecca Hover said. The suspect made it about a half a block when deputies spotted the bait car. The man bailed from the car and ran off when he realized deputies were getting ready to stop him, Hover said.

He was able to escape. The bait car was recovered.

Since last year, bait cars have been parked randomly at Community Transit’s 19 park-and-ride lots around the county.

When someone tampers with the bait car or starts it, the vehicle sends a signal that notifies the monitoring company. That company contacts police. Officers can track the stolen vehicle. Once in place, police can remotely turn off the engine, lock the doors and trap the car thief inside.

Hover said the man was able to get away because the encounter happened too quickly for deputies to shut down the bait car and lock the thief inside.

Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call the sheriff’s office Transit Police Unit at 425-438-6218.

Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.