71 Year-old Hairdresser by Day, Bounty Hunter by Night

ATLANTA, GA - Refugio "Fugi" Escobedo is not your normal hairdresser. Certified as both a Clairol colorist and private investigator, Escobedo hangs up his apron and shears at the end of the day and takes to the street as a Fugitive Recovery Agent. A self-defense expert, Escobedo uses his background in karate, muay thai, and aikido to help him pick up skips. In the salon, Escobedo relies on his fifty plus years of experience styling hair and talent for creating great color. While many might see bounty hunting and hair styling as two careers that don't go together, Escobedo views them as a ying and a yang. "I couldn't do the bail recovery thing 100 percent," Escobedo says, working on a client at his salon. "It messes with your head."

Laws for Bounty Hunters Still Up in Air

RUTHERFORD, NJ – Rutherford mayor John Hipp and his council are considering a bounty hunting ordinance. This is a response to a June 2005 incident in which police allowed a woman to be taken from her home to another jurisdiction by armed bounty hunters. Under the proposed ordinance, bounty hunters would need to report to police about the suspect they are looking for. They would also need a warrant. Local police would accompany the bounty hunter to ensure positive identification and legal arrest. Although the ordinance was to be introduced earlier this year, it is still in early draft form.

Bail Fund Drive Begins

WASHINGTON D.C. - The National Immigrant Bond Fund, a fund to help suspected illegal immigrants post bail after being arrested during workplace raids, has kicked off a nationwide fundraising drive. Suspected immigrants who qualify for the fund must supply half the amount of their bail, with the fund providing the rest. Ali Noorani, the executive director of the National Immigrant Forum, asserts "the chance of somebody in essence absconding is by and large eliminated because they have their money invested in their freedom as well." To apply for financial assistance, those arrested must not have any outstanding criminal violations.

Should Defendants Who Breach Bail Conditions Go To Jail?

LONDON, ENGLAND – Nick Herbert, the shadow Justice Secretary in the UK is expected to reveal new proposals to crack down on those who breach bail conditions. Some Conservatives want those who jump bail to face jail time and many critics point out that those who do breach bail conditions now face fines of only £60 in many cases. Herbert argues that the current system is deficient because bail is too easily granted and conditions of that bail are too often breached. The conservatives are even considering US-style bail bonds in an effort to keep streets safer.

Bondsman Gets Suspect With a Little Help

OAK RIDGE, TN – Bondsman Christopher Harwell was able to track down a suspect with a little help from a citizen and the local police. Harwell was trying to arrest Daniel Eric Reynolds for outstanding warrants and shot at him with bean bag projectiles. When the shots were fired at a shopping center, police were called to the scene. A citizen helped to detain Reynolds, who continued to try to escape even after being shot. The police asked Harwell for additional paperwork proving Harwell’s right to carry firearms and make arrests. The bondsman promised to provide the paperwork.