If I recall correctly, that’s how they caught the ‘93 WTC bombers. Even when they were closing in, they would tell the press that they were making no progress towards catching the perps.
That was as much terrorist stupidity as good police work: "On Monday, while FBI special agents were at the Jersey City facility to speak with personnel there, the Ryder clerk received a call from a man identified as Mohamed Salemeh. The latter demanded the return of his $400 deposit for the van in question, and the Ryder clerk arranged for him to return and collect the deposit on March 4, 1993. When Salemeh arrived, he was arrested." (from Answers.com).