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 sort of agreement with the bondsman on how much you will be paid. Bonus percentage may vary from state to state. Find out 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?
It will eventually develop its 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’ve always done, even if they’re wanted! That’s bad for them but good for you. So, before you leave the bail bondsman’s office, try to gather as much information about the clothing as you can. 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? Is your person known to become violent? You can check with your jail to verify that you have all warrants and any special things to worry about. I prefer to do it in person.
Eventually your own questions will occur to you.
Now, check the area where your fugitive lived, last worked, etc. Get to know your person thoroughly! You are in his old area. How is your car? Where do friends and family live? If possible, I like to watch from far enough away so 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 has possibly been arrested by another county. Sometimes he may not know it 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 can usually go from home to work and back. Should this situation arise, perform further checks. But, for now do not handcuff your person! The guy can tell you. So remember that if something feels too easy or wrong, wait and investigate further. 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 close? Will they help him or will they escape? 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 spaces 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 come up and you and your people are in a position, then go for 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 sort of gut feeling of where you might be going. Where could his arrest fall? Gas station, supermarket? I prefer everything to go as smoothly as possible and quietly so as not to create a scene. Often I walk up to my person and stand next to him and tell him why I’m there and how I expect things to go. We can make this easy or hard. 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 that you will get hurt! So do it and get out of there.
What if you don’t see your jump? I like to go to areas where I am known to frequent. I’ll show your photo to people and ask if they’ve seen it. If not, move down the path a bit on either side. 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 it was possibly 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 goes 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 jumped bail.
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 out myself! I don’t just take what people tell me as the truth. If you do something wrong, guess who ends up in jail?