Citrus Heights Police Nab Would-Be Thief With "Bait Bike"

The following is a press release from the Citrus Heights Police Department: 

On November 22, 2013 at approximately 1:35 pm, Citrus Heights Police Department officers conducted a bait operation as part of a theft and stolen property investigation. Officers left a bicycle near Greenback Ln. and Sunrise Bl. The bicycle was considered “bait”, similar to a bait car used in auto theft investigation stings.  

Within 15 minutes, a male subject was seen walking by the bicycle. He appeared to look very closely at it, and moments later rode away on the bicycle on Sunrise Bl.

Officers attempted to stop the subject, and he was arrested after he attempted to flee.

The subject was identified as 39-year old John Wayne Wilburn Jr. of Citrus Heights. Wilburn was also in possession of methamphetamine, and was wanted on an active $40,000 bail arrest warrant for theft issued by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department. Wilburn remains in custody.  

The Citrus Heights Police Department is committed to preventing theft in and around our communities. To that end, the Police Department will continue to conduct “bait” operations to crack down on property theft in Citrus Heights.

The Police Department encourages the public to record the serial numbers of bicycles, and all other serialized property, to aid in the recovery if items are stolen.