Bait car

From ArticleWorld

A Bait car refers to a motor vehicle that has been fixed and tampered by the authorities to serve as bait in capturing car thieves. bait car is a vehicle owned by the authorities and which is anticipated to be stolen.

The use of bait cars started in the 1990s. Today, it is popularly used in most States to effect a decline in car theft.

Bait cars are fitted with technological gadgets such as video cameras and remote controls to enable the authorities to have full control of the vehicle even if already being driven by car thieves.

The video camera allows the authorities to monitor the activities of the car thieves until such time they see it fit to take control of the bait car and arrest the offender.

While bait cars seem like an inducement to car thieves, the use of a bait car is not considered a violation of the entrapment laws. The entrapment law provides that a defendant may use the defense of being induced by the police into committing the crime.

Once the car thieves take over the bait car, the authorities will be able to monitor every move through the camera and a video system which is patched or connected to the headquarters of the authorities.

At a certain point during the car theft, the authorities will disable the engine, which will allow the capture of the offender.

The use of bait cars is one of the most effective weapons used by police operatives to curb the rising incidence of the crime of car theft The move is even supported by car insurers who even give financial aid to the police for the purchase of bait cars.