AI6YR BenJul 29, 2025

(UPDATE: ALMOST 100% sure this is a police department bait car. GRRRRRRRR. Good thing I didn't pop the trunk or open the door)

Mystery abandoned car. Paper still there, hasn't been touched. Glove box is locked (reachable from the open window). May be at a standstill, apparently since it is in private property, the property owner (big box retailer's landlord) would have to get it towed and/or report to the police department, as the vehicle has not been reported stolen. Has been there since 2018 or 2019. (note: hmm, maybe it IS a bait car for the local PD?!) #mystery

Show threadBegoniaArizonaJul 29, 2025
@ai6yr Years ago This American Life did an episode on “bait cars” that law enforcement planted to make unwarranted arrests. The episode is called “Bait and Switch” Please be careful! It’s Act One called Neighborhood Watch
Show threadAI6YR BenJul 29, 2025

@BegoniaArizona Oh my...

Yeah, not doing anything else here...

https://www.thisamericanlife.org/394/transcript

Show threadBegoniaArizonaJul 29, 2025
@ai6yr I apologize that I didn’t take note of your thread earlier. I will pitch in on bail if …
Show threadAI6YR BenJul 29, 2025
@BegoniaArizona Well, I hope trying to figure out if the car is abandoned is not a legal violation here. 😡
Show threadAI6YR Ben
@BegoniaArizona And THANK YOU for making me aware of that. I called a report into the police (to get my phone number and call on record), though they wouldn't take the report, and also called the manager (and his behavior very much confirmed it is probably a bait car). Hopefully they don't come banging down doors here for me checking if the glove box was open (through an open window, did not open the door).
Jul 29, 2025 at 10:01pmWeb
Show threadBegoniaArizonaJul 29, 2025
@ai6yr you have only the best intentions, always. And you didn’t break anything. Plus you have your thread of posts. Your best intentions are well documented. And thousands of folks will have your back if needed.
Show threadBegoniaArizonaJul 29, 2025
@ai6yr please don’t lose sleep over this. You could contact your local independent newspaper and ask if they want to do a story about baiting.
Show threadAI6YR BenJul 29, 2025

@BegoniaArizona LOL having had a way bigger issue with a police department.... Going to chill on this unless there's a knock at the door for "sticking your hand in an open window"

Dunno if you were following me when this happened. I was wondering if I was going to be pushed off a cliff for awhile. (and still watch my back)

https://malibudailynews.com/recent-skeletal-remains-found-in-malibu-canyon-a-stark-reminder-of-the-confirmation-of-mitrice-richardsons-mummified-remains-found-in-dark-canyon-thirteen-years-ago/

Recent Skeletal Remains Found in Malibu Canyon A Stark Reminder of the Confirmation of Mitrice Richardson’s Mummified Remains Found in Dark Canyon Thirteen Years Ago - Malibu Daily News

Today marks 13 years since the LA County Medical Examiner's office confirmed the identification of Mitrice Richardson's partially mummified remains, found just three days before on August 9th, 2010, in a remote area in Malibu Canyon known to locals as "Dark Canyon". At the time of the discovery, Park Rangers were surveying an area previously

Malibu Daily News -
Show threadKerryJul 29, 2025
@ai6yr
‼️
Show threadAI6YR BenJul 29, 2025
@kerrytani LOL yeah, that was not a fun experience, and I still watch my rear view mirror, because I don't know WTH is going on over there.
Show threadBegoniaArizonaJul 29, 2025
@ai6yr holy *Gulp* shit. Hopefully Ventura is a safer place than LA. Let me/us know if there is anything we can do to support you.
Show threadAI6YR BenJul 29, 2025
@BegoniaArizona LOL I just tell people if I am mysteriously murdered, you know what police department is involved. 🤪
Show threadBegoniaArizonaJul 30, 2025
@ai6yr I can’t favorite that but I hear you. 🙏🙏🙏