COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Three minors were arrested over the weekend in a “bait car” operation conducted by the Columbus Division of Police and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The operation, conducted overnight Friday, Dec. 3, involved a vehicle set up as “bait” to catch potential car thieves in the Ohio State University campus area.

According to Columbus police, between 4 p.m and 10 p.m., the three juveniles were arrested and one gun was recovered.

At approximately 5:40 p.m., the car was set up at North Hight Street south of East 17^th Avenue when a 17-year-old male attempted to steal the car, police said. This led to a foot chase before the suspect was arrested with a loaded gun. He has been charged with theft of a motor vehicle and carrying a concealed weapon.

At approximately 9:32 p.m., two 15-year-old males stole the bait vehicle when it was deployed in the area of North High Street near East 18^th Avenue. Police said the teens traveled a short distance in the vehicle before officers stopped it and arrested both. They have been charged with theft of a motor vehicle.

Overall, the bait car was deployed twice in the area of East 9^th Avenue and North High Street, twice in the area of North High Street and East 17^th Avenue, and once in the area of North High Street and East 18^th Avenue.