The Ultimate Guide to Evading Law Enforcement: Myth or Reality?

Contrary to popular belief, evading law enforcement is not a foolproof method. This article explores the myths and realities of hiding from the police after committing a crime, highlighting the most obvious and least likely places to hide. We'll also discuss why it's better to avoid putting yourself in the position of needing to hide in the first place.

The Most Obvious Place: Home

The first instinct for many criminals is to return to their home. While it might seem like a sanctuary, it is often the last place police will look. After all, under the guise of family, friends, or even pet-sitting, your presence is expected. It's important to note, however, that a crime scene can quickly be identified, leading to a swift arrest.

Right Under Their Noses

A popular yet tragic story from a police officer's perspective involves a robbery suspect who thought he could hide right under the noses of his pursuers. The suspect's confidence in hiding within the Police Complex proved illusory. As it turns out, a Highway Patrol officer who had just left the Complex for a briefing heard the wanted notification as the suspect drove by. The humor in the situation lies in the irony of the suspect's hideout being the very place he hoped to elude the police.

In a Coffin: The Extreme Alternative

While hiding in a coffin seems like a comedic option, it's a serious misconception. Authorities are equipped with various techniques to search for individuals, from dog units to helicopters. For instance, in a case from years ago, a robbery suspect evaded a large-scale manhunt. Even when the authorities had the entire area on lockdown, he found solace in the sea, standing up to his neck and watching the chaos unfold. In a coffin, six feet under, would not only be a waste of time but also a significantly easier target for law enforcement to find.

Imaginative But Lunacy: Plain Sight or Brazil

The idea of hiding in plain sight may seem like a clever ploy, but it’s more often than not a recipe for failure. The best strategy is to avoid landing in a position where you need to hide in the first place. If all else fails, and you’ve made the decision to go abroad, options like Brazil or Argentina are viable. However, these destinations come with their own risks and challenges. The key is to weigh the benefits against the potential consequences of your actions.

The Last Ditch Option: Beachside Hiding

As a secondary option, one police officer shared a story from their experiences on the south coast. In a dramatic tale, a robber who thought he had outsmarted the police ended up standing in the sea, up to his neck, simply to watch the officers searching for him. Eventually, when the officers gave up, he walked home, soaked to the bone. This story underscores the futility of hiding in such an obvious manner. It's not just about avoiding detection; it's about avoiding making a spectacle of yourself in the process.

Conclusion: The best place to hide often turns out to be a place where the last person would think to look. However, such hiding places can be as much a trap as they are a sanctuary. If you find yourself in a situation where you have no other option but to hide, doing so in a place that just doesn't cross the minds of law enforcers might offer a glimmer of hope. However, it's crucial to remember that the ultimate goal should be to avoid the need to hide in the first place.