In The News

Deputies Search For Robbers Disguised As Bounty Hunters

3:47 pm CST January 23, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is investigating a weekend robbery in the Forestdale area. Investigators said the suspects claimed to "bounty hunters" looking for someone on an outstanding warrant.

Authorities said it happened late Saturday night around 11:45. The victim answered a knock at his door and one person identified himself as a bounty hunter looking for a certain individual.

Deputies said when the victim opened the door to show his identification, several other armed perpetrators, all wearing ski masks, entered the house. Some of the robbers wore shirts with "Fugitive Recovery Unit" on them.

Authorities said the victim and his wife were tied up and robbed of his cash and jewelry.

The sheriff's office encourages anyone with information about the case to call their office at (205)325-1450.

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Lance Allen Wilkinson
Recoveries by L.A.W.
Serving since 1984
“What is sought is found... what is overlooked escapes” (Oedipus Rex)

Lance,
This is just another black eye to the profession. Its just to easy to obtain badges, T-shirts, even ID cards stating you are a BEA, you can even buy t-shirts, baseball caps that say Police or Sheriff no questions asked just give us the money and it's yours. People who break the law have the same access to everything that we have to catch them, thus the reason i watch what i post on the internet as to the way i conduct business. It is like a lock, only keeps an honest person honest, you know where i am going here.

Be Safe Out There,

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The Rose Investigations LLC
Collection Agency
Security & Investigations Consultant
Retired Private Investigator & Bail Enforcement
NAM VET 1969- 1975 US Army (RECON)
Office 260-220-3877
1-888-631-5520
Fax 260-456-6062

All the more reason I wish for federal legislation.

It is just as easy to purchase an entire police uniform complete with badge and identification as it is to purchase BEA attire. I will guess-timate there are hundreds of police impersonation cases per year as compared to BEA impersonations.

I found the badge maker Smith & Warren requires state identification before making a custom badge. Too bad stock badge orders from various companies don't have the same requirement.

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Lance Allen Wilkinson
Recoveries by L.A.W.
Serving since 1984
“What is sought is found... what is overlooked escapes” (Oedipus Rex)

Well folks, I am embarrassed and ashamed of the events in my state. However, as I type this, certain individuals are already working with various state politicians to introduce BEA friendly legislation regarding training, licensing, and accountability.

ID rags, badges, cuffs, batons, etc. are admittedly too easily obtained through flea markets, pawn shops, military surplus stores, leo supply stores, specialty shops, and of course the internet.

A few months ago, 2 criminals walked into a specialty shop and bought alot of this kind of gear..including bea badges. Then they went and car jacked a vehicle and left the driver on the side of the road...alive, but shaken.

I am all for BEA friendly legislation, training, and licensing. I am tired of my state being 1 of the last of the "cowboy" states where anyone can hang out a shingle and call themselves "bounty hunter". We even have ex-cons (felons) running around doing BEA work all because of a certain person on tv.

Recently, I was in a college town looking for a fugitive. I did the leo check in as protocall requires. While talking with the desk officers (1 was a corporal) they related a story to me about a "bounty hunter"-biker type, thug looking, tattooed, long haired, felon who actually walked into the pd, openly carrying a fire arm and BEA badge asking about a fugitive in the area. ! of the cops got suspicious about the guy so he ran him. Turns out the guy was an ex-con and the officers arrested him on the spot.

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River City Associates
Decatur, Al. 35601

Galls,Chief Supply,spymall,ect.ect. They make it all to easy for the wanna-be's and thugs to purchase this stuff, and in the end WE (the good guy's) get the shaft.

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Andy Dickey
A Way Out Bail Bonds Agency/Tri-State Intel

not again

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Robert Graff
Pro-Tec Recovery Agency
(402)208-0044
Omaha, Nebraska.

It was probably some graduates of a certain infamous "Fugitive Recovery School" just trying to recoup all the money they wasted.

If I were investigating this case I would call all the area bondsmen & BEA's to get a list of the wannabes who have contacted them, I would also search for places that sell the type of clothing used by the robbers and try to get a list of their customers with addresses in that area.

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Chuck

There must be an additive in the drinking water because everyone wants to be a (excuse the term) bounty hunter... even the bad guys want in.

Just look at the television shows lately to learn the low level of the American public's entertainment criteria. There is a show currently making the waves that absolutely disgusted me even more than Chapman's scripted comedy series... it's called Flavor Of Love. Unbelieveable! You have to see it to believe it. The more dysfunctional you are the higher up the monetary ladder you climb.

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Lance Allen Wilkinson
Recoveries by L.A.W.
Serving since 1984
“What is sought is found... what is overlooked escapes” (Oedipus Rex)

Many of these reality shows really scrape the bottom of the barrell, it seems that the more dishonest, rude and dysfunctional a person is the better chance they have of getting on a reality TV show.

This is the new MTV generation, god help us when were old and these people are running the country.

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Chuck

I don't know about the rest of you guys...but I refuse to grow up.. I am a toys r us kid...lalala

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River City Associates
Decatur, Al. 35601