A "bait car" planted by police lured in a repeat offender to break in and get arrested in Hadley on Monday.
News reports said that the 37-year-old Chicopee man was arrested after he broke into the bait car to steal the electronic equipment inside it in a University of Massachusetts parking lot, and then tried to flee from the scene while running down two campus police officers.
John J. Calver Jr., 37, was apprehended on Route 9 in Hadley following a pursuit from the UMass campus.
He was charged with two counts each of breaking and entering into an auto, larceny over $250, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault with intent to commit a felony, and three counts of leaving the scene of an accident.
In addition, Calver was also charged with driving without a license, speeding, possession of burglary tools, reckless driving, failure to stop for a police officer and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
At his arraignment Tuesday in Belchertown District Court, he was ordered held in lieu of $10,000 bail.
Calver was arrested as after reports of multiple car breaks at UMass during the course of last week in which laptops and dashboard navigation systems were stolen. Hence the bait car stuffed with electronic equipment (a laptop and other electronics) clearly visible.
Police watched from a distance as Calver approached the car, entered it and removed the electronics. When police went after him, Calver attempted to drive off in his car, nearly hitting two officers.
Calver may face additional charges in connection with similar breaks in surrounding communities, including Amherst and Hadley, police said.
Bad news. Really sad. I hope people who are really involved in this incident would be given justice.
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