I've seen an episode of COPS where they used a bike as bait. And they used an expensive one so they could charge they perp with a felony, rather than a misdemeanor.

Now, about rigging brakes. Rear one should be disconnected, front one needs to have something that multiplies the leverage. Maybe a Travel Agent? Then the bad guy can grab the back brake, get a big handful of nothing, and grab the front one in a panic. I'd pay to see that.