Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Couple arrested after breaking into 'bait car'

A couple walking a Tampa neighborhood were enticed by computer cases inside a car parked on the street by police.

By TIMES STAFF
Published May 24, 2005

TAMPA - A couple on a late-night stroll ended up in jail Monday, when police said they broke into a "bait car" as an officer hid nearby and watched.

Police charged both Jose Castro-Vega and Katherine Kocheran with burglary of a conveyance and grand theft. The couple remained at the Orient Road jail Tuesday, each being held on $4,000 bail.

Tampa police placed the car just north of Sulphur Springs, an area known for its high rate of car thefts, at N Mulberry and E Yukon streets. An officer hid inside a vacant house nearby to watch and see if anyone would try to break in. Two carrying cases with laptops in them were inside the car, police said.

About 11:45 p.m., Castro-Vega, 32, and Kocheran, 37, took the bait, according to police. They live together in the neighborhood at 8622 N Mulberry St. and are engaged to be married, police said.

Officers gave the following account of what took place:

Kocheran put her face up to the car then told her fiance what was inside. They walked around a bit talking about it, then Castro-Vega went back to the car. He realized the door was unlocked, so he opened it and took the laptops.

He led police on a foot chase before they caught him and arrested him.

Castro-Vega has at least a dozen arrests in Hillsborough County since 2000, according to records. His previous charges have included driving with an invalid license, leaving the scene of a crash, grand theft of a motor vehicle, burglary of a structure and petit theft.

[Last modified May 24, 2005, 18:03:53]