ALOHA, Ore. — A bait bike program launched by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in 34 arrests since mid-April, helping deputies recover stolen bicycles while identifying individuals with outstanding warrants and illegal drugs.
Since April 2026, graveyard shift deputies have deployed a GPS-equipped bait bike at multiple locations throughout Aloha as part of an ongoing effort to combat bicycle theft and other property crimes.
The program uses what appears to be a standard mountain bike fitted with a concealed GPS tracking device. Deputies place the bicycle in high-traffic areas and monitor its location remotely. When the bike is stolen, built-in GPS alarms immediately alert deputies, who respond to recover the bicycle and contact the suspect.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the bait bike has been stolen and successfully recovered numerous times since the program began. Those recoveries have led to 34 arrests, with deputies also discovering several suspects who had outstanding warrants and others found in possession of controlled substances.
Officials say the initiative is part of the Sheriff’s Office’s broader effort to reduce property crime while using technology to improve public safety.
The Sheriff’s Office also encourages bicycle owners to take steps to protect their property by locking bicycles securely and recording serial numbers, which can help deputies identify and recover stolen bikes during investigations.
Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity is encouraged to contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111 or call 9-1-1 in an emergency.
About the Author
Discover more from Right Now Oregon
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
