1st arrest made in 'Bait Car' campaign, SFPD's renewed effort to prevent vehicle break-ins

New data shows that criminals break into 55 cars every single day in San Francisco. Viewers sent the latest pictures to the ABC7 I-Team of car burglaries that they spotted or, in some cases, suffered themselves.

But, some good news -- the SFPD says the number of car break-ins is down 5% from the same time last year, and they credit the use of bait cars. The I-Team's Dan Noyes has been looking into the first arrest in this latest "bait car" campaign.

#burglary #theft #breakin #cars #bait #sfpd #abc #abc7news

[orchimaru]

How that guy isn't locked behind bars for life is beyond me. He has a lengthy criminal record and hasn't shown any signs of rehabilitation.

[FFM]

The FBI needs to investigate the judges and DA, something is not normal going on in SF and in California. To let this guy out and dismiss 99% of the charges is an insult to the residents of SF.

[davidlloyd]

Must be really depressing for police and lawyers to see all that work for a $300 fine, or a suspended sentence.

[juanjzavala]

California's laws and judges are disgusting

[bruhmell]

This guy has been arrested several times, yet he's still getting released and back out in the streets. What progress is really being done? Nothing.

[smalladventures]

The District attorney & the judges & dirty politicians that dismissed all cases of San Francisco should go to jail with this bad people!

[kenrobison]

The district attorney is the one who should be prosecuted!

[marialozado]

It's a shame, these officers puts their life's in danger for these dirt bags for what? So the judge can let him go free? Something is definitely wrong with this picture.

[louiev.]

What's the point of enforcing the Laws? When they are in favor of the criminals and not the Law abiding Citizens. Repeating offenders should have no bail and more time in jail.

[jeremyarchambault]

This is proof that even when police does everything right, the justice system still fails them and the victims.

[dominiqueborz]

Who ever let him out is as much liable for the property damages as the criminal.

[markbosnick]

There should not be a plea deal offered for any crime by criminals with multiple crimes and charges.PERIOD!

[Brxchu]

I’m so sick of repeat offenders getting out. This justice system needs reform.

[topsuperseven]

As the lady points out, most correctly, this is someone who is a decided wrongdoer. This is not wayward and troubled youth, this is not one horrible mistake in their life. This is someone who's proving, beyond any doubt, he intends to do this always, again, as a choice, knowingly and professionally.

[nhaskell]

Started out as a car theft story and turned into an expose of the broken justice system. Solid reporting by a local news station. Great job.

[starcruze]

Prosecution to the fullest extent of the law is needed - NOT PLEA DEALS!! D.A.Jenkins, DO YOUR JOB!!!

[therose]

What’s going on in SF is ridiculous. A lengthy criminal record and numerous new charges should put the perp in jail for 5 years minimum. I’m a liberal, but not that liberal. WTF is wrong with the SF “justice” system?

[lifeisgood]

I got caught at the age of 19 breaking into cars in Mobile, Al. back in 1990. I was given a 10 year sentence and it changed my life. I got my GED on the inside as well. I was given a full pardon many years later and now I'm an Insurance adjuster and a law abiding citizen. If you ask people who know me today that would never believe I did those things. People can change. But you have to feel the severity of what your doing and know it was wrong. I have also seen people that no matter what you do to them they will never stop.
Update to answer some questions below. I broke into 11 cars that night and was charged with 11 different cases. I had a court appointed attorney that I feel like could have done much better. Back in the early 90's Alabama judges were tough on every type of crime.
The Pardon
After staying out of trouble for more then 20 years I got an attorney and applied for a pardon and it was approved by the Alabama Pardon & Parole Board. It restored all my civil liberties and restored my gun rights. I served 2 & 1/2 inside then I got parole and then I ended my sentence on parole about 9 months later. In Alabama if you stay out of trouble while incarcerated you will serve only a 3rd of your sentence. 3 years / 3 months on a 10 year sentence. Alabama changed the law so you still got good time while on parole ( 2 days for every one day served)

[crsp]

I have to give serious props to the abc 7 team for doing this and showing the perp, his picture and his name. This needs to be done more often to hold hold the DA, the judges and the perp responsible for the travesty of justice that is going on. That matters when these officials are called out on specific cases. Especially to the judges, hopefully the news will show which judge is preceding over the case and approving the hand slaps for multiple violent felonies.

[DarrLaw]

Everyone needs to understand what the problem is. It’s not the police; it’s the prosecutor’s office. They let that guy plea out way too easy!