LATIFPA Bait Vehicle Nabs New Orleans Murder Suspect

Released: August 26, 2009

Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon says two men wanted in connection with a murder in New Orleans were captured yesterday after stealing a bait vehicle granted to local police by the Department of Insurance Louisiana Automobile Theft and Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority (LATIFPA).

This bait vehicle was deployed in New Orleans as part of LATIFPAs Vehicle Investigation Prevention Enforcement Response (VIPER) program just last Wednesday, on August 19, according to Commissioner Donelon. Since the programs inception in 2007, approximately 97 arrests have been made in connection with the VIPER program.

Donelon says the VIPER program operates through funds donated by LATIFPA to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) for bait vehicle equipment purchased for vehicles provided by insurance companies. Bait vehicles are awarded to law enforcement agencies in Louisiana through an application process approved by the LATIFPA board of directors. Additional bait vehicles are currently operating in Baton Rouge, Shreveport and Bossier City. A bait car was also recently awarded to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriffs Department.

In addition to the VIPER program, LATIFPA has also initiated a License Plate Reader Program and an Auto Theft Education school program. LATIFPA recently launched a new Web site with up to date vehicle theft statistics and vehicle theft prevention tips. More information about LATIFPA can be found through the Department of Insurance Web site at www.ldi.state.la.us. Click on check out the new LATIFPA Web site at the top of the home page.

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