find the fugitive

You have your homework. In your hands you have a photo of your skip, arrest warrants, address list and friends and family. If you are an employee, you know what you will be paid. If you are working for yourself, like I am, have some kind of agreement with the bondsman about how much you will be paid. Bonus percentages may vary from state to state. Know what the current rate is in your area. You can earn between 6 and 10% of the bonus amount. You can agree to get miles and hotel depending on how far you go.

Whats Next?

He will eventually develop his own methods, but for now this is what I like to do. Sure, computers can give you a lot of data, but eventually you’ll hit the streets. Just remember that most people continue to do what they have always done, even if they are wanted! That’s bad for them but good for you. Therefore, before you leave the guarantor’s office, try to collect as much information as you can about the clothes. Does your person drink, smoke, gamble, go to clubs, etc. Is there a spouse? Get along? There are kids? Where they live? What school do they attend? What car do you drive with license plate number? Has your persona been known to become violent? You can check with your jail to verify that you have all warrants for your arrest and anything special to worry about. I prefer to do it in person.

Eventually you will come up with your own questions.

Now, check the area where your fugitive last lived, worked, etc. Get to know your person thoroughly! You’re in his old zone. How is your car? Where do friends and family live? If possible, I like to watch from far enough away that I can see what’s going on and not give away my position. Make sure your car is similar to other vehicles in that area so you can go unnoticed. One last orientation. This doesn’t happen often, but it could keep you out of jail.

Find out if your person may have been arrested by another county. Sometimes he may not know until he is about to take down the fugitive. The person may or may not tell you about an ankle band he is wearing as a result of being homebound. Keep in mind that these people are usually able to commute from home to work and back. Should this situation arise, perform further checks. But, for now don’t handcuff your person! The guy can tell you. So remember that if something feels too easy or wrong, wait and do more research. That extra time can keep you out of jail!

What do you plan to do when you see your jump? Plan that. What if friends are around? Will they help him or run away? Am I going to kick the door of a house? Just so you know, I’ve never done that, but my friends in the business have. I just don’t want to run into a surprise in the tight quarters of a home. Therefore, I try to create a situation that is the best for me or for my team. So basically, if certain situations arise and you and your people are in a position, then do it.

I try to tell people that if something can go wrong, it definitely will. If you have to follow your person, then do it. Get some kind of gut feeling where you might be going. Where could his arrest fall? Gas station, supermarket? I prefer everything to go as smoothly and quietly as possible so as not to create a scene. I often go up to my person and stand next to him and tell him why I’m there and how I hope things go. We can make this easy or difficult. The decision is entirely up to him. Either way, I’m ready. If I’m standing there talking to him, the arrest is within the next 60 seconds. I won’t give you time to find a way out. He is not my best friend. Going to jail feeds my family. The more you hesitate, the higher the chances of you getting hurt! So do it and get out of there.

What if you don’t see your jump? I like to go to areas where he is known to frequent. I’ll show your picture to people and ask if they’ve seen it. If not, move a bit down the path to both sides. When you get a yes, ask about a vehicle, what he was doing, buying something, etc. Was he alone or with someone? Now is the time for you to listen well! If they describe the correct vehicle, friends, purchases, etc., then you were probably there. When was it seen? Many people want you to believe that they have actually seen you jump when in fact they have not. It will be up to you to examine the trash. So I hope you know where your person is going and what times of the day and who is with him. Basically, you become that person long enough to catch him and go to jail in the county where he bailed out.

If you’re going to another state, I suggest you check that state’s rules regarding out-of-state fugitive recovery agents. Since my future is at stake, I check it myself! I don’t just take what people tell me as true. If you do something wrong, guess who ends up in jail.