Relentless...fugitive tracker

Detectives surrounded the house as forward observers for SWAT. When a search warrant is considered “High Risk,” you bring in the boys with the toys. The police use, Time, Talk and Tactics. In other words the police are in no hurry to rush in a house with a barricaded gunman. Talk to the suspects out you can over a period of time and if not gas the crap out of them. As the detectives sat watching through long eyes, the earth shook as the SWAT team lumbered down the road in a caravan of armored personnel carriers, tucks and vans. Snipers, containment and control elements, react team, command and control, logistics and security team, it’s a big operation.

One of the detectives called out, “S-1 is out of the house.” Too late, S-1 was in the car and backing out of the driveway as the train of SWAT vehicles rounded the corner. William saw the tank looking vehicles and realized it was for him. He jamed his new Corvette into gear and accelerated away. Smoke and rubber was all that was left of this drug dealing arms trafficker. Two black and whites accompanying the slow moving caravan bypassed the group rolling Code. The heavy weapons became useless in the rearview mirror of the Corvette. Speeds reached 100 on surface streets and the officers terminated the pursuit. There is always another day, especially when telephone poles go by like picket fences. William vanished into the murky underworld of his network of drug dealers and users. He is a fugitive from justice.

Tim F is a former college football player that had the heart but not the size to make it in the NFL. Known as a hard hitting linebacker, he fooled around with some minor league teams but all he has to show for it are the scars from knee surgery. Now he is my full contact fugitive tracker. And Tim is good. The last guy you want on your tail if you have committed murder, violent assault or rape is Tim. He is relentless, tireless and methodical. William is no match for Tim. With a pinch of chew between his lower lip and gums, Tim rolls out in his pick up truck equipped as a mobile tracking command post. “I’ll have him in a few hours boss. This will be a good one.” I walked into the sally port thinking, Hummmm, wonder what he means this will be a good one.

It took a few days for me to find out. 1145 hours on Friday: I got a text message from Darrell while I was on a run. We are back out in the Rancho San Diego area. We are narrowing William’s location down. Technology (Signals) and human intelligence (HUMIT) helped us narrow it down to a big valley. But it was too big, they needed a little more. One of the detectives spotted William’s girlfriend car. She parked at the mall and went into a store. Note to self: If you are wanted never let your girl go to the mall. Tommy slipped a tracker on the car.

The girl fired up the car and the detective’s fire up the computer. No signal. What’s wrong? The tracker was turned on, it was placed well and still no signal. The air card. Did anyone pay for the air card? Silence. $ 9 dollars was all that’s needed. Too late. She is moving and weaving hard and fast through traffic. The detectives scramble to keep up. They catch a break. A red light and the team resets. Through the countryside of east county, over hills and though valleys they took turns leap fogging the target vehicle. She led them to the prize. Down a one lane street past the well kept lawns of suburbia and the parsonage of a large east county church, she arrived at the lair. Through technology Tim confirmed the suspect was there. HUMIT confirmed it as well. The tension grows. Tommy got out on foot, acting like a 40 year old skater. Baggy shorts, sideways Osiris hat and over sized t-shirt hiding a gun and radio he skated by the house. 1924 delta it’s a 5,000 square foot house with multiple levels on a couple of acres. It’s a tactical nightmare. They have the high ground. Neighbors are close by and in the line of fire. Lighting is terrible. Dusk is coming. Time is crucial.

Darrell took over the incident. Move in and set a perimeter on the house. GST you are the arrest team. Detectives take up a perimeter around the house so William doesn’t escape again. We’ll call the house when you’re set. Tim called the house. The owner answered. Tim convinced them to quietly walkout the front door. Officers debriefed them. The suspect was in the basement.

Tim called Williams cell phone. Dude, this is Detective Tim. Look out the window. What do you see? Black and whites, officers with automatic weapons, body amour and ballistic helmets. All sides of the house are covered. Just come on out. William hangs up the phone and starts shutting the blinds. He’s fortifying the house to give himself the advantage. The decision is made. Beep, Beep, Beep. Code 10. Code 10, all SWAT officers respond to 10000 Vista Verde, Radio I Tac 12.. SWAT guys/gals from all over the city drop their reports and arrests, move east to join the fun. Curious cops from all over the city flip to Investigative Tac 12 to listen in.

Tim is back on the phone, Darrell and I stood close by. Tim psychologically works the guy before Hostage (ENT) negotiators arrive. Come on dude. Just man up and come out. This is not difficult. Just walk out the front door. Williams is crying and screaming at Tim. William you’re acting like a sissy. You are this big arms dealer, take it like a man. I thought you are supposed to be a tough guy. Just take off your shirt, keep your hands visible and the officers will treat you right. I promise. Bail, Bail, who cares! Yeah, I’ll let you make some phone calls. You can even use my cell phone to call your dad. This isn’t that big of a deal. Bail is minimal. (That is a matter of perspective) All you did was traffic some dope and guns. Big deal. It’s not like you killed someone. William, you didn’t kill someone did you?

Darrell whispers into the portable radio…standby he is coming out the front door. The police helicopter hover’s overhead beaming pictures of the house to a portable receiver via microwave. SWAT officers study the pictures to prepare a plan of attack. William chickens out again as SWAT officers begin replacing patrol officers. The heavy SWAT vehicles have arrived and the game is ratcheted up a few notches. William calls Tim.

I wanna to talk to Whitie. (A parolee friend)
I’ll call him but you have to come out of the house.
I want to talk to Whitie and my dad first.
No, William. You can talk to Whitie. Your dad only after you come out.
Tim dials White and they do a three way phone call.
Whitie I’m scared and I don’t trust the cops.
That’s the meth talking. Tim is straight you can trust him as much as you can trust any cop.
You sure?
Yeah he put me in prison three times and he always told me the truth.
William…just come on out before SWAT has to come in and get you. They will get you.
Okay I’m coming out.

William walked out of the front door, no shirt, cell phone in hand to surrender to officers. He cried.

There are areas of my life that are like William and others like Tim. In some ways I try to hide who I am from others and an all knowing God. The reality is I don’t fool either. That is why it is critical I don’t become a William who was afforded the best in life; a dad, education, money…2 Timothy 3:16 is a method of keeping me straight, cleaning out the corners of my thought process. The scriptures is God’s way of teaching, rebuking, correcting and training for righteousness.

I want to be more like Tim, spiritually that is. Relentless! Look what the Apostle Paul wrote, “I am being poured out like a drink offering…I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith! Paul was relentless. (2 Timothy 4) Whether we are chasing crooks or living for God, I’d rather be Tim than William. Relentless.