Three kids have been in arrested in Grand Junction for stealing from a baited car. The Mesa County Sheriff's Office set up the bait operation by 32 1/2 Road.

The Mesa County Sheriff's Office baited a car near 32 1/2 Road and D 7/8 Road and these kids took the bait. Deputies set out the bait on Friday, and around 3 a.m. on Saturday morning, they were alerted an item from the baited car was stolen.

Mesa County Sheriff's deputies tracked the stolen item to three juveniles, ages 11-14 according to MSCO Facebook. Two of the three kids were arrested and taken to the Department of Youth Services. According to MSCO Facebook, these two kids are now facing these charges:

  • Two counts of First Degree Criminal Trespass of Auto - Class 5 Felony
  • Theft from Motor Vehicle ($50-$300) - Class 3 Misdemeanor
  • Violation of Bail Bond Conditions - Class 3 Misdemeanor

According to the Mesa County Sheriff's Office, the third kid was issued a 'Promise to Appear' for the following charges:

  • Two counts of First Degree Criminal Trespass of Auto - Class 5 Felony
  • Theft from Motor Vehicle ($50-$300) - Class 3 Misdemeanor

The MSCO likes to set up operations like these in areas where crime has been prevalent. These operations target people breaking into cars/stealing from cars. According to the Mesa County Sheriff's Office:

Bait operations give deputies a proactive way to identify suspects without a citizen becoming a victim of a crime.

Let us know if you think the punishment fits the crime in the comments.

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