Arlington Car Thief Slams Bait Truck Into Residence
ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM) – Police are trying to catch a suspected thief who stole a bait truck and drove it into a home during an undercover sting on October 10.
The Tarrant Regional Auto Theft Task Force planted the vehicle in the 2400 block of Greenway Street to catch car thieves.
Surveillance video from inside the truck shows the thief finding the keys and turning on the ignition.
He then drives for several minutes using his shirt to steer and then parks and gets out of the truck. He returns several minutes later with gloves on.
Soon thereafter, he spots a patrol car nearby and accelerates into a neighborhood. Then, for some reason, he opens the door and makes a sharp turn while barely hanging on, crashing into Tim Black's house.
"The vehicle went all the way into my living room and part way into my bedroom. It was a pretty rude awakening," Black said.
Watching the video with CBS 11 News Monday night, Black added, "Oh this is fascinating! Wow!"
CBS asked police why they didn't deactivate the bait car given they had been watching him for almost 10 minutes.
Black wanted to know too.
A spokesperson with Arlington Police said it happened too quickly for the officers to call dispatch and deactivate the bait car.
"It doesn't make a lot of sense to me," says Black "They didn't have time? I heard them say that too."
The fifth grade science teacher at Johns Elementary School says he's just glad the pickup stopped where it did.
"Six feet more it would have gotten me," he said.
If you have any information about the suspect call Arlington Police at (817) 459-5308 or Crime Stoppers at (817) 469-TIPS (8477).
All tipsters remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward up to $1,000.
