While you’re out doing your Christmas shopping, thieves might be out shopping for you – or rather from you.
North Vancouver RCMP arrested a man after he broke into one of their strategically placed bait cars early Sunday morning.
Unbeknownst to the suspect, he’d set off a silent alarm, alerting waiting police. They found him a short distance away with stolen goods, and arrested him, according to Cpl. Richard De Jong, North Vancouver RCMP spokesman.
Police deploy their bait cars covertly in areas known to be hot spots for thefts from autos, typically in residential or commercial neighbourhoods.
De Jong could not say what the successful bait was, although he said it was in keeping with the types of things victims of theft often leave in their cars, sometimes unlocked.
The case should be a warning to residents about leaving valuables in their unattended vehicles, especially this time of year when people tend to leave their Christmas shopping boxes and bags behind, De Jong said.
It is also meant to deter would-be thieves, he added.
“It’s designed to send a message out to those who would be thinking of breaking into a vehicle that any vehicle you break ... (could be) a bait car. This guy found out the hard way.”
The man was kept in custody pending his first court appearance.
Sebastian Wawatie, a 28-year-old Vancouver man, is now facing one charge of theft under $5,000.
Wawatie is due back in court on Dec. 16.
