Car theft programs returning results

 Bait cars have been luring in car thieves in Glendale.

The city's Police Department's Auto Theft Unit has logged 18 bait car arrests already in 2008, and 33 since June 2007.

Seven arrests occurred within a six day period. The Patrol Bureau also arrested two suspects as a direct result of the state's Watch Your Car program.

Here are some of the recent highlights of the department's auto theft activity:

• May 17^th, Watch Your Car traffic stop. Two arrests.
• May 28^th, bait car taken from 7500 W. Glenn Dr. Three arrests.
• May 30^th, bait car taken from 5900 W. Oregon Ave. One arrest.
• May 31^st, bait car taken from 5000 N. 55^th Ave. One arrest.
• June 2^nd, bait car taken from 6800 W. Myrtle Ave. One arrest.
• June 2^nd, bait car taken from 6000 W. Keim Drive. One arrest.

"Of course, we're very pleased that the program is working so well and we have been able to make these arrests," said Auto Theft Sgt. Brandon Blanco. "It was amazing to us and frankly, kind of shocking, that so many people would not hesitate to take someone else's car."

Glendale PD's bait car program started in 2004. The cars were provided by the National Insurance Crime Bureau and State Farm Insurance Company. The costs of the program are primarily funded by the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority.

The AATA also administers Arizona's free, voluntary Watch Your Car program. By enrolling in this program, vehicle owners convey to law enforcement officials that their vehicle is not usually in use between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., when the majority of auto thefts occur and authorizes law enforcement to stop vehicles during those hours to verify the rightful owner is driving.  

On May 17^th, Glendale Police stopped a vehicle at 2:15 a.m. after the officer learned the vehicle was enrolled in the Watch Your Car program. The car had been reported stolen a few days prior. The driver and passenger of the stolen vehicle were arrested. The vehicle was recovered and returned to the victim.  

"This Watch Your Car recovery is due to the diligence of the vehicle owner in wanting to protect their vehicle and the Glendale officer for making the stop and subsequent arrest," Enrique Cantu, AATA Executive Director, said.

The AATA and its statewide law enforcement partners encourage Arizona residents to take extra precautions to secure their vehicles through a "layered approach" to protection. The more layers on your vehicle, the tougher it is to steal.

For more tips on how to keep your vehicle safe, click here.

To learn more about the Watch Your Car Program or to enroll on-line, click here.