Metro cops say they busted a bike thief in the act Tuesday night, nabbing a 15-year-old boy who stole a “decoy” bicycle at Prince George’s Plaza station.
The bike, of course, was real, not a plastic decoy like those used in duck hunting. But the bike belonged to Metro Transit Police and was parked at the Green Line station as bait for would-be thieves. Then plainclothes officers sat and watched until the teen came along, according to Metro.
The special “crime suppression” team is working to stop thefts of bikes and electronic devices before they happen, trying to lure thieves to them.
Bike thefts have been a recent problem for the agency. Last year 280 bikes were reported stolen at the agency, compared with 207 in 2009. The agency has also been targeting abandoned bikes at stations, in an attempt to reduce the thefts.
