CMU Police bait bicycle catches nine larcenies so far this year

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Potential thieves should think twice before taking an unlocked bicycle for a joyride through campus.

The Central Michigan University Police Department launched a new way to reduce the number of bike thefts on campus last May.

The department places a bait bike randomly on campus without a lock, waiting for thieves to take it for a spin. The bike is rigged with a GPS, which sends a signal when the bike becomes mobile, leading officers to its location.

CMU Police Chief Bill Yeagley said the bike can also deter others from stealing.

“Larceny is the biggest crime on campus,” he said. “We see a lot of stolen computers and bikes, but there’s no way to track bikes like we can track computers.”

There is currently just one rigged bike on campus, but it changes locations.

An average of two to three bikes are stolen each week, and not just by students, CMU Police Lt. Larry Klaus said.

There have been 37 total bike larcenies on campus this year; nine from the rigged bike, Klaus said.

There have been 15 more bike larcenies this year than at this time last year, Klaus said.

Klaus said other universities in the state have similar policies.

Those who steal the bike face court fines and a charge of misdemeanor larceny if prosecuted. Seven of this year’s bike thieves were arrested.

Florida senior Lorenzo White, cornerback of the CMU football team stole the bait bike over the summer. He was found guilty on one count of larceny greater than $200 on July 29. He received three months’ probation and $630 in court fines and charges. White was also suspended for one game by CMU Athletics.

Dearborn junior Neal O’ Connor said he thinks the bait bike is a good idea.

“Somebody that’s going to steal a bike might steal something else,” he said. “Students should expect the police to do something like this.”

Livonia freshman Ryan Gabrish agreed.

“If they have intent to steal, they are going to have to pay the consequences,” he said.

Some students, however, consider the practice an unfair way for the police to trap people.

“The police can just follow up on reports of stolen bikes instead of staging it,” said Mount Pleasant junior Olin Banks.

Klaus said their intent is not to arrest as many people as they can.

“We’re not trying to be super secretive about it,” Klaus said. “We want to catch the person who has intent to steal more than once.”