Chicago cops collar dumb crooks with 'free TV' offer

I have to wonder if it is smart for the police to tell them how they caught the criminals.Yeah I realize that stupid people most likely are not going to watch the news or read a newspaper or internet article, but chances are they have friends that do.


Sun News : Chicago cops collar dumb crooks with 'free TV' offer
Instead of going home with $75 and a plasma TV, fugitives in Chicago were locked up.In Operation C.W. Marketing, the Cook County Sheriff's Office sent 10,000 offenders wanted for a variety of reasons -- from unpaid child support, traffic offenses and violent felonies -- invitations to take part in electronics testing. The invites said that in exchange for their feedback, they would get $75 and could keep the electronic device they tested.
The invitations went to the most recent address for those on the wanted list, and while thousands were returned as undeliverable, more than 50 fugitives made appointments to take part.
"As the offenders pulled up to the warehouse, smiling undercover officers headed to their cars while carrying empty boxes for plasma TVs and video game systems, creating the appearance of a festive, gift-filled visit.
The fugitives were then warmly welcomed by other officers wearing bright T-shirts, surrounded by signs and balloons," police said in a release.

This has been done many different ways over the years in different cities.... fake lottery "winners" lists printed in newspapers, vacation vouchers, electronics, etc... It always ends up bagging a certain number of utter morons.

This is probably one of the most non-violent things the Chicago PD has ever done. Wonder if they had to do community service after beating up female bartenders.

Anyone who watched the Simpsons 10 years ago should be wise to that trick.

D'oh!