On Saturday, at approximately 3:20 am deputies were alerted an item was stolen from a vehicle used in the bait operation. Deputies tracked the item to three juveniles, ages 11-14, on the 500 block of 32 ½ Road. One juvenile was observed by a deputy entering a vehicle not belonging to them, another was in possession of the item stolen from the bait operation.
Two juveniles were arrested and transported to the Department of Youth Services on the following charges:
- 2 counts of First Degree Criminal Trespass of Auto (Class 5 Felony)
- Theft $50-$300 from Motor Vehicle (Class 3 Misdemeanor)
- Violation of Bail Bond Conditions (Class 3 Misdemeanor)
The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office utilizes bait operations as a proactive investigative tool to reduce property crime. Operations are conducted in areas where on-going criminal activity has been reported to specially target auto thieves and persons breaking and entering into cars with the intent to steal property. Bait operations give deputies a proactive way to identify suspects without a citizen becoming a victim of a crime.
