Features
Comment
Print
Interview Issue: Al the Bounty Hunter
Thu, Jul 2, 2009 (midnight)
Photo: Beverly Poppe
Al
Bounty hunter
Interviewed May 29 at Starbucks in Green Valley
What got you interested in this as a career?
I knew somebody that did it for almost 50 years. I learned his way of life, his stories, and it got me curious. Then I did some work for him part-time to make some extra money while I was going to school. I got hooked on the adrenaline rush of it. I’ve been doing this in Las Vegas for the last five years. And by the way, we’re bail enforcement agents. The term “bounty hunter” was created in 1887, but we’re trying to get away from that term. Our job is to protect the bail companies and make sure that they don’t pay on these bonds.
How does the authority of a bail enforcement agent differ from that of a police officer?
Police officers are sworn in; we’re not. But we have the ability to go anywhere in the world to catch a criminal. We’re backed by the U.S. Supreme Court. I’ve gone as far as Chicago.
We’ve all seen the movies about bounty hunters, as well as the A&E series on Dog. Is what we see, for the most part, accurate?
Some shows yes, some no. Dog is not accurate. I mean, we don’t hook and book suspects without being armed. We don’t go with just mace or paintballs. You never know what a human’s going to do. Human is the most ultimate prey. They can do everything that we can do. When you go after someone to take their freedom, they’re going to do whatever they can to make sure you don’t take that freedom.
Bounty-full Vegas
Viewing video requires the latest version of Adobe's Flash Player
del.icio.us
digg
FacebookJust how dangerous is this job?
It’s the same as law enforcement. You don’t know if today’s your day or not. I have three agents who work with me, and we’ve all been shot at and had numerous weapons pulled on us.
Describe a typical case.
We had one in Yarnell, Arizona, a $20,000 bond. This guy had numerous drug charges, credit card fraud, identity theft. We tracked him there because that’s where his mom lives. We watched her house two to three days, and there was no movement. There was a garage, and we kicked the door in and started going through the trash. We found an address with a girl’s name on it. That took us to Scottsdale. We discovered the cops wanted him, too, because he had just been involved in a high-speed chase where he got away, so we decided to work with the officers. We started circulating his picture and telling everyone he was a sex offender so they would contact us the minute they saw him. And it worked.
We decided to hit the house, but while we were approaching, one of the guy’s friends opens a window, sticks a gun out and starts firing shots. Both shots hit me in my bullet-proof vest, so I was fine. My partner was able to grab him and pull him out of the window, but the defendant got in a fight with my other partner and tried to remove his gun. But we have locked holsters, so that doesn’t happen. We had to tase the guy four times. That kind of thing is pretty typical.
More
- The Interview Issue
- Scott Zeiger: Co-chief executive officer, BASE Entertainment
- James Woodbridge: Music promoter, philosophy professor
- Sunset Thomas: Adult entertainer, reality-TV star
- Alexandra Berzon: Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter
- Cindy Funkhouser: Co-founder, First Friday
- Charles Geocaris: Director of the Nevada Film Office
- Keith Schwer: Director, UNLV Center for Business and Economic Research
- Rev. Deacon Bonnie Polley: Chaplain, Clark County Detention Center
- Dave Kirvin: Partner, Kirvin Doak Communications
- Vicki Pettersson: Author, Signs of the Zodiac novel series
- Candice Nichols: Director, The Center
- Lawrence Sands: Chief health officer, Southern Nevada Health District
- Virginia Valentine: Clark County manager
Besides a gun and vest, what other tools do you employ in catching criminals?
Mace, tracking devices, night vision, surveillance cameras, computer software. And disguises. Lots of disguises. We have done everything, I mean everything you could imagine. I’ve gone to doors with Domino’s uniforms and good-smelling pizza. I’ve gone as a UPS person with a package. I was a clown for a little girl’s birthday. My partner went as Santa Claus, and I was an elf. One time I was a shrub.
How much does role-playing play in this job?
It’s a big part of it. You have to think like a criminal and act like a criminal but not become a criminal. You have to be a very strong person mentally. To keep your sanity, you have to have hobbies and find other stuff to do—going fishing, camping. You have to be able to separate.
How many people a week does a good bounty hunter put in jail?
It can be anywhere from five to 10. Criminals are smart in a certain way, but in a lot of ways, they’re very predictable. They have a comfort zone, and they don’t often leave that comfort zone. They may leave for a week or a month, but they typically always come back. And when they do, they leave a trail. And when you hunt, you’re always going to open more doors.
What’s the most unusual case you’ve ever worked on?
I went to pick up this one guy, possession of cocaine, marijuana, burglary, and we’d been watching him. The neighbors knew he was there. He had a two-story condo, and wasn’t answering the door and wouldn’t come out. So we borrowed a ladder from maintenance and went to the second balcony at midnight and broke the sliding glass door in.
We burst down the door and discovered he’d been trying to climb into the attic, but he was too heavy and was stuck. And he was naked. I tased him from below—right in the ass. He was being real surly with me, so I took him to jail in a dress with blue and pink flowers.
E-mail
iPod38 Comments So Far
This guy trashes Dog for not carrying a firearm. I say good for Dog that he can do the job without carrying a weapon that kills. Dog has over 7000 captures, and never been really hurt. I have worked in bail and Dog's method of not harming fugitives is the kind and proper way to go.
This guy looks like my local library worker, no wonder he cant take care of himself without guns. Sad that they carry killer weapons. Dog shows it can be done safely and caring.
This Al talks tough, comes off like an ass though
Al is not THE bounty hunter, he is A bounty hunter. AL NEEDS GUNS, WUSS. Dog's show is as real as they come.
Al is all talk. By his own admission he carries non lethal weapons such as mace and tasers, and he also admitted that when the fugitive went for his gun, he used a taser on him. Sounds like he didn't need the gun in the very situation in which he claims to need a gun. Sounds more like he is hiding behind a firearm. Dog has been at this for 30 years and it's safe to say he knows what he is doing by now. Al has only been at it for 5.
Ridiculous of Al to say that Dog is not accurate because he doesn't use a gun. If Dog and his team don't need to carry lethal weapons in order to achieve the capture of a fugitive, then more power to them. Not carrying a gun also eliminates the threat of a fugitive shooting the bounty hunter with his own gun. Seems like Al has had a problem with that.
DOG has been doing this for many years, he knows what he's doing. He doesn't put his crew in harms way. Al doesn't know what he's doing cause if he did he wouldn't need a gun. I think carrying a gun is doing the same as the criminals who carry guns. And that could leave to a shoot out or anything and an inocent person could get hurt. I think Al needs to take lessons from DOG
Al says "Police officers are sworn in; we're not. But we have the ability to go anywhere in the world to catch a criminal. We're backed by the U.S. Supreme Court. I've gone as far as Chicago."
Al, the world goes beyond Chicago. If you go to Canada or many other countries, your ass will end up in jail. You can not go anywhere. That is a total misrepresentation of the truth
Clint is right. Al seems to lack practical experience regarding some of his claims.
Well some of you people seem to need reinformed that Dog is A FELON! That means HE CANNOT CARRY A GUN! He has no choice to do it the way he does. The going all over part is wrong! Hell he can't bounty hunt in several states..let alone internationally...if you want to see a real bounty hunter..check out Rob Dick or Leonard Padilla "the Godfather of bail"
DOG is a TV show with a script and drama. Al lives in the real world and bad guys have guns. You people who are trashing Al, why don't you got out and find these people in the seedy parts of LV without a gun. DOG is a dog and Al is a WOLF, the true hunter. Thank you for make LV a little safer!
Al, I've always thought that those people who think they need to carry a lethal weapon instead are over-compensating for something. You make a comment about a guy who started shooting and instead of using lethal force you tasered him...why do you need a gun if you have 50,000 volts to shove up someone's ass? Dog the Bounty Hunter was hunting way before the tv show, and it was his non-lethal weapon-carrying capture of Andrew Luster that brought him to fame. As an EX-FELON, he knows fugitives because he was one, and now chooses to live on the right side of the law. Of course the reality show is scripted to some extent, that's the nature of filming, and if it wasn't dramatic noone would watch it! Al, you do a great job in your own right, but stop slating others in the same profession, please.
P.S Al, you also hint that you prefer Bail Enforcement Agent to the title bounty hunter, and yet in the video clip you state you are a bounty hunter. If for some reason the fugitive who grabbed for your firearm had managed to get it (and it does happen) you'd be dead. I dare you to go out on a hunt just using non-lethal weapons and see just how real that makes things!
Yes Dog cannot carry one, but the rest of his crew can and they choose not too. They have the talent to do it without guns.
This guy looks like my granny could whoop his stamp collecting ass. Imagine him trying to throw a grown man to the grown, no wonder he needs help
Leonard Padilla is nothing but a jealous old coot, sad that fame eluded him and hating Dog for the success that Leo thinks should have been him
When people say bounty hunter, they think Dog, not Leo or this nerd. Clearly this man carries weapons to cover his own shortcomings
Al, man, get to a gym and grow some muscles. Then you could do it the safe way and not be some yahoo with a firearm
Al. After carefully reading your article and how you said you want ALL the way to Chicago, I would be surprised if you could catch a cold.
Al cannot dispute that Dog and his family get the job done without guns. They run a successful business and would not be able to hold that business if they did not catch those who skipped bail. This article is all posturing.
If Dog is THE Dog, why doesn't he lead the pack. That WUSS sends skinny guy Leland in first everytime. You never see DOG fight anyone. He might mess up his hair. You people need to live in the real world and not TV land.
Jessarmstrong, ClintDallas & JW, ... Please, get a life already. Dog Crapman is falicy and con man who does this for TV only. He CAN't carry a gun as geing a CONVICTED FELON with MANY stints in jail for strong arm burglaries and drugs. They most certainly COULD hold this business without picking up the SMALL amount of THEIR OWN skips as you DON'T understand the Bail process, system, collaterals, etc, etc. He has NEVER come NEAR capturing 7000 skips in his lifetime as this would be litteraly IMPOSSIBLE. Cartoons are MORE realistic than your dogpile, believe it or not.
All you people trash talking bail enforcement agents that carry weapons..... so you are saying police and other law enforcement officers shouldn't carry weapons? Instead they should carry water pistols??. Stop, police...I'll squirt you! If it wasn't for all law enforcement, including bail enforcement officers, the streets would not be safe. There are 11,000+ skips in LV alone. How well do you know your neighbors? So be careful who you trash talk, you may need them one day.
As I said, Al did not use his gun in the situations in which he claims to need one. A taser worked just fine for him. Police officers and bounty hunters are in two totally different categories and receive totally different training, including different weapons training. Also, how often do police officers actually discharge their guns while in the line of duty? Some cops go ten years or longer without ever firing a shot, and they are in potential danger every day. As for who I may need one day, I live in the Las Vegas area, and I do not need the pistol packing, arrogant talking type that Al comes across as in this article.
TO JFJAMES
READ CAREFULLY> NO ONE WAS TALKING ABOUT POLICE MORON. THE DISCUSSION IS ABOUT BOUNTY HUNTERS. HOW DO THE POLICE IN ENGLAND GET BY.. WITH BRAINS. THE WILD WEST IS GONE. I WILL CALL THE POLICE BEFORE I CALL SOME NERDY UNEDUCATED BOUNTY HUNTER WHO DOES NOT KNOW THE LAWS.
ClintDallas, the whole discussion is about being ARMED. LV is one of the top ten cities for being the the most dangerous. Kids are still bringing guns to school. You and Emily need to hook up as you must live in the Land of Oz licking lollipops while the rest of us dodge bullets. Emily you must never listen to the news in LV. Cops are always shooting someone. Guys like Al take the criminals (child molesters, rapists, drug dealers, armed robbers, you name it) that bailed out of jail and then skipped off the street. They may be living right next door to you. Do you think they want to go to jail again and are going to place nice? By all of your posts, both of you are ignorant of the laws pertaining to bail enforcement and ignorant of the judicial system. It's obvious you've never been a victim of a crime. I hope you never are, but if some day it happens, you will eat your words.
Clint, typing in ALL caps is considered shouting, JF
got you riled??. ... LOL
Secondly, there IS NO bail system in England nit wit, so WHAT are you comparing??.
Third, ... Good Idea, call the police as Bounty Hunters have no authority of arrest other than from a Bail Bondsman.
Sounds like you, one or some of your family has already been been picked up by a Fugitive Recovery Agent and you were duped & outsmarted Big Time as you've already proven your mentality. ROFLMAO!!! ......... OLE~
JFJames:
The discussion is about ARMED BOUNTY HUNTERS. Period. Al is not a cop, nor is he on the same level as a cop. You dragged cops into it to try and justify arming bounty hunters by trying to equate the two professions. If bounty hunters should be armed, that argument should be able to stand on its own without trying to make bounty hunters into cops. Al is clearly ignorant of many laws regarding bounty hunting, as he seems to think he can go wherever in the world he chooses and arrest people. This is not so. If he is unclear as to the basics of his profession, he most certainly should not be armed while in the pursuit of that profession.
James, you seem to have missed my point. I was speaking in general terms since there is more to the United States than Las Vegas, and this is a discussion about bounty hunters in general. That being said, Las Vegas does not have a monopoly on crime. Every major city deals with crime and kids bringing guns to school. You talk as if you live in a fishbowl.
Yak, I gathered from Clint's post that he was referring to how police officers in England do their jobs. Perhaps you are unaware that the majority of police officers in England do their jobs WITHOUT guns. You also misspelled and misused the word "fallacy". You should really educate yourself before posting again.
JW, ClintDallas, Emily...all you DOG supporters...no other bounty hunter picks up fugutives without being armed. I've watched numerous other bounty hunter shows and they are all armed, except for the Dog. He cannot carry a weapon do to the fact that he is an ex-felon, was imprisoned for murder and even his wife Beth has been in trouble with the law. The TV show does not represent true bounty hunters. I've done my research and found out that no bounty hunter would apprehend a fugitive with out being armed due to the fact that they have know idea what they are walking in to. There is an old saying...it's better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it. From my research...all bounty hunters use non-lethal force before lethal force. So wake up and face reality. There are other shows that pertray true bounty hunters. DOG is not the only bounty hunter in the world. He does not own the profession. Bounty hunters work with police officers to apprehend suspects and they don't have a problem with them being armed, so why should you. Fantasyland is at Disneyland, so time to come back to reality and get off the couch.
Emily, Thanks for the heads up on my misspelling, I'm certainly comforted that you could decipher the message and realize the meaning of my point.
I was tutored all night and now educated so I hope you will accept this and my future posts.
England??, Of course I understood your point, just trying to keep this in the realm of the article and debate, maybe you should bring yourself up to date with the problems that do exist and changes in their laws due to danger of them not being armed.
Just a thought.
Oh, way to go Las Vegas Weekly! Post a huge cover story interviewing people with the most insignificant jobs in Las Vegas while 12% of us are unemployed.
I have to go back to being on hold with the unemployement office now. I'm sure I'll get someone on the line in another 45 minutes or so.
Donna H
DOG doesn't need a gun because HE has the skills to get the job done without having to use violence. The fact that you need to carry around a lethal weapon to get your point across is just a sign that you don't have what it really takes to be a successful bounty hunter.
And FYI, this little blog isn't going to get you fame.....it's going to get you negativity.
DOG CHAPMAN RULES!!
Ok. Background on me... Im a "Bounty Hunter" from California. Im good at what I do. And this guy is a idiot. Firstly, Bounty Hunters cant go anywhere in the world. They cant even go everywhere in the US (without a lot of complications). Dog the Bounty Hunter was arrested by US Marshals for arresting someone in Mexico. We have no authority outside the US and in a lot of US states. I carry less than lethal most of the time. Mace, baton and tazer usually. Ive only needed to fire my gun once. Firearms are useful but not always required. Claiming someone is a sex offender is illegal. Its also slander and that person could bring a civil suit against this guy. Tasing a guy 4 times who was admittedly stuck? Thats criminally and civilly unacceptable. This guy should be sued. Tasing a guy who is stuck is also a coward thing to do. Dog the Bounty Hunter is not 100% accurate. Some parts are. But its a lot different in real life. If you want to know what real bounty hunting is like, email me at troweemail@gmail.com and Ill tell you the truth.
Heres the real deal on Al. (Al is one of many AKA's he uses) I am prior law enforcment with over thirteen years of service and own a successful bail enforcement company in Las Vegas. Al is a three times ex-felon.He has done prison time in Nevada State Prison. He has no license to be a bail enforcement agent or bail agent. He has a bail enforcment shield and ID card. He is illegal in every sense of the word regarding bail enforcement. It is unfortunate that the shady company he works for employs him to save money . They pay him peanuts so the company does not have to spend money on real bail enforcement. agents. However justice is sweet. Al was arrested on August 7, 2009 for 37 counts of ex-felon in possession of a firearm. This arrest was made at his residence in Henderson NV. I worked for the City of Henderson for over 10 years in law enforcement and I am familiar with Al. Al is a fraud, a criminal and full of crap!
correction. Al has a fake bail enforcement shield and ID card.
Thank you lvfugitiverecovery for that update. As an added update (not yet confirmed), Al's "agents" and the bondsman that they work for are currently under investigation by the LVMPD on extorsion charges that may have been ensued by his recent arrest. Those of you who have seen these guys at work, they are the guys that will park their "unmarked" crown vics off of main street and stand around outside the bondsman's offices practically "advertising their faces". Nevada has certain laws that require drug testing, psychological tests, and a mandated 80 Course required by the state of Nevada (as well as it has to be accredited in DOI standards).
One of the downfalls to this course required, is that it is run by one of the PILB Board Members, whom also does bail enforcement under is PI License (though acceptable in the state, it does not play as an example) It wasn't until last year that a second Course was recognized in Reno, NV. A CCW Permit is also required to become a Bail Enforcement Agent in NV, which is provided inside the course through CSN. However, lately there had been issues regarding the qualifications of this Instructor which has put many "soon" licensed agents on hold. Lethal and Non-Lethal devices should be determined based on the preliminary investigations of each case file contracted to the BEA Agent.
I am still fairly new in the business, though in the last year alone, I have never had to kick down a door, go "tactical", or even have my firearm visible. We generally are plain clothed, in regular POV's, and case files. We have never been denied entry into any residence, and we have always followed our two general rules: Local PD was always informed of where we are and what we are doing, and we never do anything that a P.O.S.T. Certified Police Officer would not or could not do. There is no grey area. If we were unsure, we would not do it.
On the note of Duane Chapman and his television show, though great entertainment, there are a lot of learning tools an agent can learn from basics from that show. Each state has their own laws regarding Bail Enforcement. Colorado Bureau of Investigation requires an accredited course certification, fingerprinting from your local police or sheriff's department, and registration with the CBI (THEY DO NOT LICENSE BAIL ENFORCEMENT AGENTS). What you see on television is generally the apprehensions part. It wasn't until the recent season finale that you were able to see more of the investigation on the case of Padilla. Exceptionally professional BEA Agents aren't afraid to utilize local law enforcement. Most Police don't like BEA, and have good reasons to.
Though, if you are professional and treat all your defendants and everyone in each case as human beings, you will gain better intel on your defendant and attain better assistance from your police departments. In the cases that our team has worked in Las Vegas, and my recently new company in Wyoming, I have never once had to use a firearm, taser, baton, or anything considered lethal or non-lethal, other than my presence and my respect for everyone. There are good Agents and Not-so good agents. It mainly is derived from their training and their experience. LVFR has been in Las Vegas for quite some time, and has developed a good reputation. The company I recently worked with started off builing a good reputation, but it's main agents became greedy and arrogant. hence why I am no longer with them. I carry on with my standards and my golden rules. There are industry standards and morals, though not written, but equally understood.
But you must keep in mind in all situations, each case is different. Though many charges are alike, every case is put together and investigated differently. Different tools are used in different ways. BEA are not Police Officers. Some of us may be retired LEO, or may have attained our licenses through P.O.S.T. certifications. But none of us are Commissioned Officers. Please keep in mind, that many and most BEA haved received the same exact training as Commissioned Officers, but no true BEA will ever pose, or look like one. We know the laws, and we know our places in the Judicial systems. Also, you will never hear a professional BEA bring up US Supreme Court's Taylor v. Taintor. I have full respect for all of our LEO and BEA Professionals. Keep up the good work, and be safe and diligent out there as I will do the same.
WYTEC seems pretty knowledgeable, but he (or she) needs to check the facts. I'm the lead instructor for the state sanctioned program at the College of Southern Nevada. I'm licensed by the state as a Private Investigator, but I also hold my Bail Enforcement Agent license and my company is licensed as a Bail Enforcement Agency. I also have a license as a Bail Agent. I've never been a member of the state licensing board for people licensed under NRS 648 which includes private investigator's. The bail industry in Nevada is governed by the Department of Insurance not the PILB. There is no question about my qualifications to teach the program, feel free to contact CSN if you doubt it. I cant speak to the qualifications of previous instructor's. You aren't required to carry a gun to be a Bail Enforcement Agent in Nevada nor is a CCW required, or provided by the CSN 80 hour course. Interestingly, I received my POST certification in Wyoming back in 1985. Do the math. As for LFVR , it's one of the best fugitive recovery companies around. 'Nuf said.
Add your comments...
-
Tuesday
2010-02-09
Green Valley
-
Tuesday
2010-02-09
Xania's Hot Spots
-
Tuesday
2010-02-09
Culinary
- More ›
-
Wednesday
2010-02-10
UNLV
Speaking to Las Vegas in the Language of Las Vegas at UNLV's Grant Hall
-
Wednesday
2010-02-10
UNLV
-
Wednesday
2010-02-10
Downtown
- More ›
-
Thursday
2010-02-11
The Strip
-
Thursday
2010-02-11
Boulder City
-
Thursday
2010-02-11
Southwest
- More ›
-
Friday
2010-02-12
Boulder City
-
Friday
2010-02-12
Southwest
-
Friday
2010-02-12
Central
- More ›
-
Saturday
2010-02-13
Lake Las Vegas
-
Saturday
2010-02-13
Pet activities
Cats and Sin City International Championship Cat Show at the Alexis Park Resort
-
Saturday
2010-02-13
Southwest
- More ›
-
Sunday
2010-02-14
Downtown
-
Sunday
2010-02-14
Tater Salad makes his first appearance at the Mirage
Comedy
-
Sunday
2010-02-14
Riviera Hotel and Casino
- More ›
-
Monday
2010-02-15
Wynn Las Vegas
-
Monday
2010-02-15
Xania's Hot Spots
-
Monday
2010-02-15
Venetian
- More ›
SMS Alerts
Most Popular
- Most Read
- Discussed
- E-mailed
- 1. Is Neil Diamond joining Cher and Celine Dion at Caesars Palace?
- 2. Rock Naked Wednesdays lives up to name
- 3. Photo Galleries: 7 parties w/Holly, Randy, Tito, Naya, Jayde, Vanessa, Rachelle
- 4. Strip Scribbles: Despite recent split, Zowie Bowie go on double date
- 5. Paul McCartney to lead stars at Feb. 19 premiere of Viva Elvis
- 6. Gung Hey Fat Choy: A Chinese New Year primer
- 7. Meet the Grinders
- 8. Photo Gallery: Vince Neil celebrates 49th birthday at Simon, Feelgood’s
- 9. Miss America’s hectic first week includes Super Bowl XLIV, stars
- 10. The power of pop compels you
Xania's Hot Spots - This Week's Special Events
- Rakim at LAX (Wednesday, Feb. 10)
- Benji Madden at Moon (Tuesday, Feb. 09)
- Far East Movement at Blush (Tuesday, Feb. 09)
Download and print Xania's Club Grid
February 4 - February 10
- Click to download
Commenting requires registration.