VIDEO: InMaricopa intern has license plate stolen first day on job

An InMaricopa intern fell prey to an uncommon crime Monday afternoon during his first day on the job.

J.T. Lain, whose summer internship with the organization’s editorial department runs until August, had the license plate on his 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee stolen within the first hour of his internship.

After Lain discovered his plate had been taken, he called police.

Lain said the officer who responded told him a Jeep Grand Cherokee is a common vehicle used for smuggling drugs or people over the border.

Maricopa Police spokesman Ricky Alvarado said license plate theft isn’t that prevalent, and Maricopa is not experiencing a rash of this crime.

“I have not heard of one taking place in the last few months,” Alvarado said.