CRPD using dummy cars to lure thieves

Cedar Rapids police said Thursday they are using “dummy cars” to catch thieves stealing items from vehicles.

Joseph Harper, 23, who has no address, was arrested Tuesday while trying to break into such a car at the McLoud Run parking area, according to Sgt. Cristy Hamblin.

The parking lot is along a recreation trail near Center Point Road in northeast Cedar Rapids. Hamblin said 10 thefts from vehicles have been reported in the 3200 to 4200 blocks of Center Point Road NE since Oct. 1.

The department, Hamblin said, “has been setting ‘dummy cars' around town in attempts to ‘entice' criminals to take the bait. It worked.”

Harper, she said, attempted to break into just such a “dummy car” a few minutes after it was in place.

Given the car break-ins, Hamblin encouraged residents to park in well-lighted areas during the holiday season and to not leave valuables and packages in plain sight in their vehicles.

Police, she said, will be setting out the “dummy car” in parking lots, parking ramps and other places that thieves frequent during the holiday season. Criminals, she said, “should be wary of purses or other items that are in vehicles because it may just be the police, waiting to arrest you.”