Teen driven by dad arrested for stealing bait package

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A teen who allegedly swiped a packaged from the front porch of an Aloha home was caught quickly Thursday morning.

The Washington County Sheriff’s said 17-year-old grabbed a bait packed, which deputies have strategically placed around the county.

According to the account given to the sheriff’s department, the teenager was in the car with his dad and other juveniles looking for cans when the teen got out, ran down the block and grabbed the package.

He reportedly told his dad he was looking for a lost dog and hid the package in the car so no one else knew it was there.

The tracking device in the bait package was triggered when he picked it up and deputies stopped the car at SW 165th and Farmington Road. The suspect was arrested for theft in the second degree and later released into his parents custody. The father was not arrested.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office still has bait packages strategically placed around the county.

“Porch Pirates” are common this time of year, when people are getting lots of holiday gifts delivered to their homes. The Washington County Sheriff’s Department has a unique approach to this issue.

“We’re not really trying to catch anyone,” Sgt. David Thompson said. “We’re trying to deter this type of crime.”

Thompson said the bait package program has been “pretty successful” and they will continue it again next holiday season.