The Sacramento Police Department North Problem Oriented Policing (POP) team has been deploying bait equipment strategically to take proactive measures in reducing theft and burglaries. The North POP team recently placed bait equipment inside a locked and secured, unmarked police vehicle parked in a parking lot in the 3500 block of N. Freeway Boulevard.

On Sunday, April 7, 2019, at approximately 5:02 p.m., officers from the Sacramento Police Department were advised by dispatch that there was an activation for this bait equipment. Officers responded to the area and determined that the unmarked police vehicle was burglarized, and the bait equipment was stolen.

The North POP team had real time GPS locations of the bait equipment and provided these updates to the responding patrol officers. While tracking the GPS, officers determined the bait equipment was traveling inside a vehicle. While in the area of Bradshaw Road and Lincoln Village Drive, officers determined the vehicle with the bait equipment was a Mazda CX5 that was stopped at the intersection. A marked police vehicle was at this intersection and observed the driver of the Mazda run the red light. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle and the driver fled. A vehicle pursuit was initiated.

The driver of the Mazda drove erratically and, for the safety of everyone involved, ground units discontinued their involvement in the vehicle pursuit. At one point, the driver traveled against oncoming traffic on Highway 50.

A law enforcement helicopter monitored the fleeing vehicle. While monitoring the vehicle, personnel in the helicopter observed the vehicle stop in the 3100 block of Chettenham Drive. The driver and passenger immediately fled on foot. With the assistance of the Sacramento County Sherriff’s Department, the driver and passenger were detained. Officers conducted follow-up and located some of the bait equipment that was stolen during the vehicle burglary.

The driver was identified as 24-year-old Alvin Lovett (photo attached). He was arrested for felony evading, evading a police officer - driving opposite flow of lawful traffic, burglary, possession of stolen property, conspiracy, and driving on a suspended license.

The passenger was identified as 23-year-old Romar Williams (photo attached). He was arrested for burglary, possession of stolen property, conspiracy, resisting arrest, and a warrant.   

The North POP team continues to find innovative ways to effectively police property crimes. This includes bait deployments and other measures of crime prevention, intervention and proactive policing