New Mexico City Refuses to Pay for Damage From ‘Bait’ Car

Albuquerque refuses to pay for damage to a home struck by a city-owned bait car driven by teens.

Bait cars are vehicles deployed to catch thieves.

Peter Kopczuk says the bait car crashed into his home on July 15, shoving his wife’s car into a wall and damaging the garage and a bathroom.

The city told Kopczuk that he has to resort to his homeowners insurance for the nearly $11,000 of damage.

City Attorney David Tourek told KRQE-TV that liability lies with the teens who caused the crash by switching seats as they drove drunk in a stolen vehicle.

Kopczuk said police shouldn’t have allowed the bait car to enter a residential neighborhood.

Tourek said the officer was awaiting backup and that there was no immediate threat to public safety.