Man Suspected of Stealing-Towing 143 Vehicles

ANOKA, Minn. (AP) - A tow truck operator is accused of stealing more than 100 abandoned vehicles in the Twin Cities and selling them for scrap.

Investigators say 50-year-old James Jennings, of St. Paul, has sold 143 vehicles for scrap in the past four months to an Anoka recycler. Authorities believe all of them were stolen from the metro area.

Coon Rapids Detective Chad Duckson says that police planted a "bait" vehicle after the number of auto thefts along Highway 610 increased. Police say Jennings took the bait and was arrested at his place of business on May 8.

Jennings has been released from the Anoka County jail on $5,000 bond. He did not immediately return a call seeking comment.