by Senta Scarborough, The Arizona Republic
MESA, Arizona -- A Phoenix man trying to steal a police bait car Friday found the gas tank almost empty but didn’t let it stop him, police said.
They said the man left the vehicle, returned with a gas can and added fuel before he took the car.
Police said that around 8:45 a.m. Alejandro Rodeles-Carrizofa, 25, tried to start a bait car parked near Alma School Road and Southern Avenue and apparently noticed it was low on gas, said Mesa police spokesman Sgt. Chuck Trapani.
Officers were sent to the area because sensors on the car notified police a door had been opened.
A little while later, two men drove up in a gold Ford Taurus. One got out of the car with a gas can, poured gas into the bait car tank and drove off.
Police tracked the car to Dobson Road and U.S. 60, used special equipment to remotely shut it down and arrested Rodeles-Carrizofa. Trapani said he has several outstanding arrest warrants.
“He was a nice guy to give us free gas,” Trapani said. “He was out looking to steal a car and didn’t give up.”
Trapani said the bait cars are typically left with little gas.
The second suspect, a 16-year old Mesa resident, was located by Mesa police and the Arizona Department of Public Safety on the exit ramp of University Drive and Interstate 10. He will be referred to juvenile court on suspicion of vehicle theft.