[GregoTX]

"WTH??? Were the police so bored that they had to CREATE thieves?? Unbelievable! What the heck was the purpose of this?"

These burglary of motor vehicle stings are a response to problem areas that have a high incident that occurs of that situation. If many people are becoming victimized by car burglars repeatedly in a specific area, Officers may target and bait that area in hopes of identifying the burglars. It is almost always a response to a problem in that area, not "creating" one.

[Enterprise]

The way this sting is described, the theft of these items would not be a vehicle burglary. A vehicle burglary occurs when the vehicle is locked with the windows rolled up and force is used to enter and steal the items. I suspect that the value of the items in this sting totaled over 400 dollars, which is the threshold dividing petty theft from grand theft in California. Had someone taken the items, the charge would have been grand theft, not vehicle burglary.

[jackibutterfly]

Thanks, Grego - that helps explain it. Makes sense now.

[Cindy]

I agree.