SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A Salem police bait car ensnared an alleged burglar who confessed to stealing 36 cars since October.
Police say 35-year-old Michael J. Sparks admitted to stealing the cars in Marion and Polk counties, during which time he’s been arrested and released on separate crimes.
Salem Police Lt. Steve Birr says Sparks told police he expected to go back to prison, and saw no reason to stop stealing cars, only some of which have been recovered.
A string of car break-ins at a parking structure led police to leave a bait car with several valuable items inside, the Statesman Journal reports.