‘Bait bike’ catches crook

A Park City Transit bus leaving the Kimball Junction Transit Center. Photo: TownLift // Bailey Edelstein.

PARK CITY, Utah — A Pinebrook man was the first to be arrested last week as part of a new program from the Summit County Sheriff’s Office designed to deter bike theft.

According to a report from the SCSO, a “bait bike,” valued at over $500, was placed near the bike racks at the Kimball Junction Transit Center during the evening hours of Thursday, July 20.

The suspect allegedly took the bait bike, rode it to his residence, then hid it in his garage.

SCSO deputies were able to track the bike to the man’s residence using GPS coordinates, where they were then able to arrest the suspect and recover the bike.

Due to the value of the bike, the theft is classified as a class A misdemeanor under Utah Criminal Code, and could carry a punishment of $2,500 in fines or up to one year in prison.