P.I., for 30 years now. Have several similar stories as he does. The best thing he mentioned was that you do not know who the person you are watching knows. A second thing he talked about is staying near the subjects residence over night. In some rural places your choices are limited. If you have to stay close park away from your hotel room (exterior doors to your room) & be super aware of what is around you.
When ever you stay at a hotel just let the desk know not to confirm your stay or give out any info about you. You can also check with the state this occurred in to see if you can find out who ran your information and see if you can get a copy of the body cam if there was one. In some states police can only run a person /plate for a valid law enforcement reason. That chief broke the law and put you in serious danger. All this info should be available with a FOIA request.
Funny you should say that. I have one down vote on alot of videos. Pretty sure there is one specific person that doesn't like me and down votes all my videos.
They're harder to lose when they're behind you. I've been "followed" by someone who insisted on staying in front of me. I just waited for a left turn lane with a blinking yellow arrow and made a last second turn (as he drove straight through the intersection). I fishtailed a little but it worked like a charm. When he saw me turn, he slammed on his brakes (apparently he thought he could back up to the turn lane on a busy county highway?) and nearly caused a massive pile-up. I was glad no one got hurt and just as glad to lose the guy.
WOW, dude. I cannot fathom what you were feeling during this whole ordeal. All I can tell you is that I've had a much smaller version of something similar happen to me, and that alone was enough to shake me for MONTHS; you are a better man than I, and thank you for sharing this incredibly eerie, incredibly entertaining story.
You might want to get a mailbox in the next town over at one of those places that let you use their address (i.e., John Smith, 123 Main Street, suite 456, Podunk, WA). Have ALL your mail, vehicle regs, and driver license, etc. go to that address rather than your home address. Our house, telephone, utilities, taxes, etc. were all in my wife's maiden name so I was pretty hard to find if the SHTF. That also made it difficult to serve ME with subpoenas or other court papers. The mail-drop place had yet another address for me - an empty lot in yet another city. (I don't know how your video turned up on my computer -- I just stumbled upon it.)
The second you said you were going to a small, rural town, I knew there was going to be some crooked police involvement. Thank you for sharing your story!
Conducting any investigation or Surveil in rural community or location can be impossible because Everyone knows each other, etc. At first, it sounded like the subject was in the Witness Protection and Security program and I had run with such a person years ago via a car accident.
Yes, I also agree with you that supervisors sometimes ask you to do stupid things. I’m a licensed private investigator but I work as an independent contractor and I refuse to work for PI companies that solely do insurance work. Out here on the east coast it’s common to ask an investigator doing an insurance case to knock on the door of the Claimant after 2 or 4 hours to make sure he or she is home. This is one of the dumbest things in our profession. I know other investigators who don’t like knocking on the door either but they lie and say that they did when asked to do so. That would be the easy way to resolve this conflict but since I believe in providing an honest days work I cannot do this.
I have worked as a surveillance investigator for quite some time in NYC. Completing an investigator training program (such as Ashworth College PI Program) will be crucial to a PI's case operations in avoiding some of these mistakes, in addition to pre-surveillance due diligence. When surveillance is done in rural areas it's especially important to not overlook pre-surveillance research. That is looking at the egress routes to the home on google. Looking at google you can also see colors of vehicles, you can confirm the address using google earth or street view so you don't have to drive by the residence and risk being observed. I would never knock on a door, a pretext call will always be the best option to confirm if a claimant is home unless the client/insurance company advises that you can't. Confirming identity does not have to be done at the residence, as a social media search for the claimant as part of pre-surveillance research is often likely to produce an ID of the claimant/subject. If ever a claimant/subject becomes surveillance aware and begins to follow you, it's ok to pull into a Police parking lot or just park in front of a police precinct, this usually sends them on their way. Having a full tank of gas is important as you can also just drive in a direction that is going to likely take them out of their way and cause them to break off, such as getting on an interstate. Thanks for sharing your story.
One time I got gas because I was on E and the subjects car could remain in view. I pumped until the light on the cross traffic turned yellow (shout out push to start) I got across the street and turned seamlessly without breaking visual. Every day after this I get gas AT THE END OF THE DAY so I don’t have to think about it in the morning.
Just passed the exam in Ontario woohoo. Now onto applying for my licence! I just found your podcast but will definitely keep watching. Hoping to find work fairly easily. Great story. Thank you
This reminds me of the stories that they would have on the old time radio programs. Thanks for sharing it. By the way I'm working as a field surveillance investigator.
I can relate to “the shriek” walking barefoot and in loose shorts in a dark shed I noticed a Copperhead snake between my legs on the floor. Man can fly and I did as I shrieked when the air in my lugs rushed out as broke the world record for the long jump, using both legs from a standing position! 🏆🥇
Oh, sort a beginner mistake or lack of [military] training. When framed, ditch the equipment; should've abandoned the car (call the rental office to pick it up), call a cab, check out, secure perimeter, get away. Composure is everything as well first lesson in surveillance - of any kind: do not get caught.
LOL, no I wouldn’t call it a beginner mistake by any means. And, I am prior military. I wasn’t going to ditch anything as I had a couple thousand dollars worth of equipment with me. I don’t know if calling a cab would have changed anything. I didn’t want to be with out a vehicle. And I am not checking out without my stuff. It’s one of those situations that you don’t expect to evolve in that manner but it taught me some valuable lessons. Lessons that I carried with me the rest of my career and that helped others in the process. So, while it scared the crap out of me, it changed the way I saw surveillance and how I taught it. In surveillance, investigators get “caught” all the time. Not physically caught, but identified by the person they are doing surveillance with. Every circumstance is different and sometimes you have to put yourself out there a little to get the video. I was a top investigator for the company before that incident but I was even better after.
Yeah, this is a situation you never want to find yourself in, but sometimes things go south. It's fortunate that it ended on a relatively peaceful note at least, and that you learned something from the experience. Nice story.
That was a crazy story. Thanks for sharing. I’ve been followed a few times by car and did the same thing by flooring it in order to lose the subject. I’ve since made the decision to never do that again because of how dangerous it can be and the likelihood of an accident. I’ve also been followed on foot surveillance as well a couple of times. It’s never fun. But it comes with the territory. It mostly happens to those of us who are aggressive and actually come to work.
Yes it is dangerous at times. With that being said, if it happens to much then we are doing something wrong. We need to pick and choose our moments. We can't get everything they do. Sometimes we have to let the documenation happen organically without forcing it. These types of things never happen to me anymore. And I still get the job done. A burnt case is bad for everyone...You, the client, your business or the company you work for. Pick your agressive moments:) We can't be aggressive 100 percent of the time. If we are we will miss out on moments that are critical to the surveillance because we have compromised the file getting burned.
It's so easy to sit in front of a computer and second guess someone else when there is no threat, but I would have abandoned that white rental and called to have another totally different car delivered and left in that. Call your boss to contact the rental car company and have it picked up.
Thank you for sharing your story, im glad everything turned out ok although I'm sure that gave you some post traumatic stress. This line of work is some intriguing to me. I've been reading anything I can get my hands on about it. You mentioned that you've been to a lot of states with the job? Was that with the same company or did you move around? Is that a common aspect of the job? I love going to new places so that would be good for me as well. Thank you
When I read title of video I wanted to see if I would be terrified. That really was a pretty scary story.Did it ever cross your mind that they might know your home address? That would be the worst case scenario. It almost makes me think the guy was involved in shady things with the police to. idk. you told the story well though. it felt like I was there. I'm sorry that happened to you.
Hey Jose. I was totally scared about him knowing where I lived. Absolutely. I stopped worrying about it after a month or so. But yes, that was totally on my mind. I was freaked for sure and that last for months. I do think the guy was shady for sure. I don't know if he was shady with the police. Just a really really stupid decisions by the Police Chief to give him my informaiton. He must have owed him favors or something. They might have been friends.
How did he know where you were staying? I mean I understand how he got your info after the Chief of police gave him your name and all that, but how did they know what hotel you were at?
I watched this video last night having just arrived into a small rural town for a 3 day file. Well...i have trouble finding the road to the subs res, i drive around this rural cowfarm area only to find a long driveway leading to a residence tucked in the bushes, so i drive up it, see the house number and its a match! no vehicles though so i leave the area fast. then i have the subject drive up their driveway as i was leaving the area...needless to say, i went home the next day. not nearly as scary as yours but oddly coincidental
How could the police chief possibly give this guy your current location? He would have to be tracking your cell phone or something like that in real time. That sounds very unlikely, expensive, and tedious.
I really appreciate your telling of this compelling story! Please look back at your transcript and take note of the excessive use of “like” “kinda” “uh” “yaknow” as well as the “tisking” habit you have of making this popping sound by sucking the tip of your tongue against your top front teeth. It detracted very much from your story. If you’re going to be a broadcaster, it’s something you must consider, for the sake of your story. I mean this sincerely without any sense of condescension.
Gabriel, I agree with you. Unfortunately I recorded those once without edit for a podcast that I do. I don't edit these. Basically what you see and hear is exactly what is on my actual podcast. With that being said, some folks, such as yourself can't get past the ums and ahhs. And I don't blame ya. I hope at the core you got the information I was hoping to pass along with you. And to be sure that i am working on my skills as a speaker and better podcaster, my wife and I are now attending Toastmasters so I can get better at talking without all the ums. My podcasts are unprofessional so you will hear those regular words like, kinda, ya know. That is how I talk. :) . Thank you for the feedback. I am actively working on it. I will be making new podcasts soon. I hope you subscribe to this channel and my podcast channel as well. Thank you again.
Private Investigator Advice I’m subscribed and definitely a fan if your work! I’m grateful my tone came through as supportive and you embraces the feedback. Goes to show what kind of guy you are. Thanks for the info and I totally see what you mean. Sometimes it’s better to just tell the story straight up. Look forward to your upcoming content! Best of luck.
Preet Sandhu assuming guy gave plate to police chief. They ran it and determined it was a rental. Police chief called rental company and got my information. Gave info to guy.
crook friend of mine described how he would go about stealing my motorcycle: he said the first thing, if he didn't know me, is he would ask around to see if it was common knowledge that I was "connected," either to LE or the criminal underworld. IOW, know your enemy, as Sun Tzu advises.
OMG that police chief should've been fired from the department ......... Passing on information to a citizen who is supposed to be a complete psycho .... Like what the hell man ..... You are incredibly lucky to get out of that situation ....... Man that was freaking scary 😎😎😎
I whistleblew twice reported to Congress once and reported on acold case murder that the state prison system hid reported to a triple letter was retaliated against and impoverished said the hell with this and am in school full time earning a double major but I thought to actually get paid as a PI instead of just because it is the right thing to do. How does one go about it in Texas?
Andrew....one question: Is it normal for hidden camera footage to disappear (go fuzzy, no image) while using your cell phone? I used my cell phone at the same time as recording with hidden camera...and that's exactly what happened! The hidden camera footage went all fuzzy (like out of focus TV). Please answer! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Jack Stone yes it would come back to the rental company which they would call and ask who rented the vehicle. The rental kiosk was in the airport which the again could ask when I flew in and was flying out
Private Investigator Advice Wow man that’s scary that a company would just give up your info like that on a phone call without further verification that it’s a legit law enforcement agency. Glad you made it out of that one ok.
The police chief didn't do a blunt mistake, in this particular case. He knew if you were to start anything legally it would begin with your trespassing at first - by mistake or not, hard to prove. And so he knew you were in trouble even before running your plate. It's called the upper hand. In this case you had no leverage and instinctively you chose to leave without further inquiring. What happened is a common occurrence in other TAs. The good part is you escaped unharmed and you learned. Bad outcome you are now a "persona non grata" not only on that area/community but nationally.
A police chief should never give a private citizen the information he provided. Driving down a driveway and turning around accidentally would hardly be labeled as trespassing. And I would go to battle in court over that. Any solicitor would automatically be labeled as a trespasser. Any religious door to door in individual would be trespassing. I don’t follow your rationale. Nor would the police officer I spoke with.
Mario Mantilla i might of said yes when I first started but I would say it can be stressful for a variety of reasons. Check out my podcast and listen to episodes 1 through 10
dude that is the craziest story I think i would have aborted the mission when i got a white car with no tint leaves you to wide open. hope things have got better i have done some surveillance and one little thing goes wrong I sit back reassess you never know what people will do for revenge
I had to work with the rental car I had. I had flown there and had a hotel. I needed to be billable just so the company could maybe break even on the case. Like I said, that case changed they way I did everything after that and the way I taught surveillance
The pretext is always “IM looking for this guy, (show mugshot of local sex offender with or without address depending on prox) and he drives a (insert claimant/subject vehicle)” and if your feeling ballsy “if you wouldn’t mind, text me on this (burner) if you see this vehicle”
If you prepare for the worst, then lots of these things wouldn't be a surprise. Like having gassed up already. Like figuring the guy would pull out all the stops to check you out. Assuming the guy would know someone who knows someone. Had to freak you out, especially if that was the first time you were busted. But having a plan in place to Cover your ASP would be the most important thing. "What if" things to death, not to be paranoid but by playing a game with it. A little cat and mouse. Oh, and carry an HK. Or 4. ;)
Of course things were learned from this. It shaped me as you can imagine. This wasnt the first time I had been caught. But then first and last time it ever got escalated.
I have used alias's yes. But never a fake license or something to that effect. Fake name, fake business card but not license or passport or offical documents.
No. Not mad. Just scared how it all went down. It happens. I learned a lot from that time in my career. It never happened again after that. Changed how I viewed surveillance and how I approached it.
YOU SHOULD HAVE OUSTED THE COP THAT THINKS HE IS ABOVE THE LAW ! I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE HAD THEIR 4TH. AMENDMENT VIOLATED BY A TYRANT, DISGUISED AS A CHIEF ? OR MUCH WORSE HOW MANY ARE DEAD NOW ? GIVEN THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES CHIEF'S BUDDY COULD HAVE OUSTED YOU !!
How do you think it's crazy when you stock a guy for awhile and he confronts you just about anyone would want to keep someone from creeping on yourself
Well I technically on conducted surveillance for one day. Out of the 16 or so years I have conducted surveillance I had never encountered the same situation. The extent, the connections this guy had, the fact that the police chief did what he did (which was not ok), etc.. I had never seen anyone go to those lengths to track me down. This wasn't the first time I was burned on a case. But any investigator would understand that this is not typically how something like this would play out. It literally changed so much about how I approached surveillance cases from this point forward.
Everything happens for a reason. I think one of those reasons was to make sure other people are aware of the bad things that can possibly happen. Thanks for the comment!
David Restivo well if you have worked as many surveillance assignments as I have it is bound to happen especially with the pressure to get results, identify who they are and what they look like and follow them in an extremely rural area. Every investigator gets made if they work enough cases
I get trying to find out. But in 16 years no one tried to find out in this manner. Anyone with common sense would know why they are being followed (insurance fraud, child custody, fraud, etc..)
Except for the fact that it is not. And now you are talking about things you don’t know. Investigating is quite legal. It happens in government, it happens in regards to infidelity, it happens in business, it happens in insurance, it happens all the time. And it is completely legal. We have to literally get licensed by the state and have business licenses. We go to court regarding our investigations. These aren’t some back room investigations that no one knows about. It is a part of the legal process. Lawyers use us too. So I guess you should do a little more research regarding our occupation. And look up the difference between being a private investigator (and the laws we follow in the occupation) and the definition of a stalker. Look up some case law regarding it and then come back and support your statements with actual facts
@@PrivateInvestigatorAdvice P.I. advice, you just may be a decent law abiding investigator. If you truly don't know or believe that there are dirty investigators participating in illegal gang stalking & using illegal tactics then perhaps you need to research. Your posting on TH-cam, it would be a great start to learn. I'm aware that gang stalking doesn't apply to all investigations. Dont take it so personal guy, you seem like you're pretty decent.
So, you would drop an investigation if you were "burned" - that is, noticed by the person you are investigating. Due to the risk? Sometimes when people are nervous about being watched - for whatever reason - it's like dealing with a tinderbox. Anything can happen. Being that nervous leads to high blood pressure - and people doing crazy things.
Well, there would be no legal reason to stop surveilling in my case.....but from a personal safety standpoint, if you are observed, it would make sense to quit. Some people get really nervous - even for no reason. But, I still need the information. However, hidden cameras probably would not work thru tinted glass.
I have a lot of empathy for safety risks. I’m not a private investigator, I’m just a random human being but I’m listening and I have to say as someone who is questioning if she herself is being followed- besides the danger that you could have been put in which I’m glad that you’re okay- how are you okay with putting people through experiences like that? And I’m not asking this in a pick you apart way, genuinely is this something that you think of and hold empathy towards? It really can scare people and take away the sense of safety that a person has- being followed.
Do u recommend investigators to use rental cars when doing survelliance or using their own car? And also are private investigators about to get access to police reports when doing specific cases?
Its too expensive to use rental cars and they usually don't make for good surveillance vehicles because of lack of tint. So I recommend having your own surveillance vehicle and if you can...have a back up vehicle. As for police reports we have no more access to police reports then the general public. What ever is public information we can access.
Rental cars only come into play when your travelling via plane from location to location that makes driving your own surveillance vehicle not cost effective. Most SUV, vans, and quad cab rentals have tint. Travel with your own curtain set up or hit the local thrift store for dark blue bed sheets. Rentals are nice cause if you get "warm" on a file most companies will let you switch out of the warm vehicle into a fresh one. REBORN! Need to have cop buddies to get an eyeball on police records.
Colin Draper okok. Is it legal for cops to look at police records of individual at any given time? That would be a huge advantage for officers and PI when researching a person
Your big screw up, was not going and swapping out rental cars when the ah shit happened, driving down his driveway. If I can’t drive to the case in my tinted out vehicle, with ALL my equipment, I’m not going. Better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6.
Tell us what the guy you were investigating did. What were you investigating him for???? Holy shit we don’t know his name or even what state he’s in or anything about this guy, so why can’t you just tell us what this psycho was being investigated for???
Private Investigator Advice I know in some states I work in AZ the company I work/ will work for, prefers you not to carry, especially like for surveillance I know geico like stresses not to carry a weapon including mace taser etc.. is that true?
@@PrivateInvestigatorAdvice It's not that I don't like your podcast or videos, I do, it's that there were a ton of deceptive signals in the story (could be that you were protecting identifying details in the story) but from my point of view, it was either pure deception, mostly deception, or not your story. I did like the video and will subscribe to the channel :D Love your content (just don't have to buy into it 100%)
FitFo lol ok. Very much my story. I would say this. And I mean it. If you can’t trust my character, then you shouldn’t follow me. Everything I say would be suspect. I was incredibly transparent in sharing what took place and even how scared I was. No worries though. Never received a comment like that before
Try to get to the point quicker as most are not interested with senseless nonsensical ramblings. Pretend that you are talking to one of your clients while recording a video.
Hey Jason. Thank you for the feedback. These recordings are actually for a podcast. I just kill two birds with one stone. Hence the banter but I will try to be better about that
"Who knows what kind of person they are"? Probably the kind that doesn't like being followed or stalked. You say you gunned it through a shopping center because you were terrified. Doesn't feel too great being followed, does it?
So .in conclusion was ok for you to follow someone spy in him .then was wrong when he was following you better then you did . I think everyone should mind his own business .
Is that how you view this? Being a private investigator is legal. Insurance companies and the general public have the right to use investigators legally. I didn’t follow him to threaten him. He followed me to threaten me. There is a difference.
P.I., for 30 years now. Have several similar stories as he does. The best thing he mentioned was that you do not know who the person you are watching knows. A second thing he talked about is staying near the subjects residence over night. In some rural places your choices are limited. If you have to stay close park away from your hotel room (exterior doors to your room) & be super aware of what is around you.
Great tips Shane!
When ever you stay at a hotel just let the desk know not to confirm your stay or give out any info about you. You can also check with the state this occurred in to see if you can find out who ran your information and see if you can get a copy of the body cam if there was one. In some states police can only run a person /plate for a valid law enforcement reason. That chief broke the law and put you in serious danger. All this info should be available with a FOIA request.
You have one downvote on this video. I think the guy you were surveilling found you again.
Funny you should say that. I have one down vote on alot of videos. Pretty sure there is one specific person that doesn't like me and down votes all my videos.
#43
They're harder to lose when they're behind you. I've been "followed" by someone who insisted on staying in front of me. I just waited for a left turn lane with a blinking yellow arrow and made a last second turn (as he drove straight through the intersection). I fishtailed a little but it worked like a charm. When he saw me turn, he slammed on his brakes (apparently he thought he could back up to the turn lane on a busy county highway?) and nearly caused a massive pile-up. I was glad no one got hurt and just as glad to lose the guy.
WOW, dude. I cannot fathom what you were feeling during this whole ordeal. All I can tell you is that I've had a much smaller version of something similar happen to me, and that alone was enough to shake me for MONTHS; you are a better man than I, and thank you for sharing this incredibly eerie, incredibly entertaining story.
I don’t know if I am a better man then you. It shook me as well. I wouldn’t go back out to the field for a very long time after that
great story, im glad you came out unscathed
You might want to get a mailbox in the next town over at one of those places that let you use their address (i.e., John Smith, 123 Main Street, suite 456, Podunk, WA). Have ALL your mail, vehicle regs, and driver license, etc. go to that address rather than your home address. Our house, telephone, utilities, taxes, etc. were all in my wife's maiden name so I was pretty hard to find if the SHTF. That also made it difficult to serve ME with subpoenas or other court papers. The mail-drop place had yet another address for me - an empty lot in yet another city.
(I don't know how your video turned up on my computer -- I just stumbled upon it.)
The second you said you were going to a small, rural town, I knew there was going to be some crooked police involvement. Thank you for sharing your story!
Conducting any investigation or Surveil in rural community or location can be impossible because Everyone knows each other, etc. At first, it sounded like the subject was in the Witness Protection and Security program and I had run with such a person years ago via a car accident.
Honestly, that would have never occurred to me. But like I said, that experience shaped me and the way I trained going forward
It’s not impossible but certainly it will stretch your abilities to think creatively
Yes, I also agree with you that supervisors sometimes ask you to do stupid things. I’m a licensed private investigator but I work as an independent contractor and I refuse to work for PI companies that solely do insurance work. Out here on the east coast it’s common to ask an investigator doing an insurance case to knock on the door of the Claimant after 2 or 4 hours to make sure he or she is home. This is one of the dumbest things in our profession. I know other investigators who don’t like knocking on the door either but they lie and say that they did when asked to do so. That would be the easy way to resolve this conflict but since I believe in providing an honest days work I cannot do this.
Phone the person in question, pretext after they answer. if you have the number that is.
At least I’m Florida, with auto liability, no client wants you to pretext of go to the door.
Agreed. All of it
I have worked as a surveillance investigator for quite some time in NYC. Completing an investigator training program (such as Ashworth College PI Program) will be crucial to a PI's case operations in avoiding some of these mistakes, in addition to pre-surveillance due diligence. When surveillance is done in rural areas it's especially important to not overlook pre-surveillance research. That is looking at the egress routes to the home on google. Looking at google you can also see colors of vehicles, you can confirm the address using google earth or street view so you don't have to drive by the residence and risk being observed. I would never knock on a door, a pretext call will always be the best option to confirm if a claimant is home unless the client/insurance company advises that you can't. Confirming identity does not have to be done at the residence, as a social media search for the claimant as part of pre-surveillance research is often likely to produce an ID of the claimant/subject. If ever a claimant/subject becomes surveillance aware and begins to follow you, it's ok to pull into a Police parking lot or just park in front of a police precinct, this usually sends them on their way. Having a full tank of gas is important as you can also just drive in a direction that is going to likely take them out of their way and cause them to break off, such as getting on an interstate. Thanks for sharing your story.
And that's why you start every day with a full tank of gas. After being in this business for nearly 30 years, I have some stories of my own.
As I imagine you would. :). Yes. Always a full tank of gas
Who is retired?
@@PrivateInvestigatorAdvice what's the first step of becoming an investigator? A mentor?
One time I got gas because I was on E and the subjects car could remain in view. I pumped until the light on the cross traffic turned yellow (shout out push to start) I got across the street and turned seamlessly without breaking visual. Every day after this I get gas AT THE END OF THE DAY so I don’t have to think about it in the morning.
Just passed the exam in Ontario woohoo. Now onto applying for my licence! I just found your podcast but will definitely keep watching.
Hoping to find work fairly easily. Great story. Thank you
Are you in California or Canada? Both countries have ontario as a Province or State. Thank you
Was the test difficult? I heard it is in Ontario
Not difficult but hard to picture the examples they try to portray. I am studying in classroom at the present time.
@@williamhutsul894 can u elaborate more?
Well? Still a PI?
Surveillance can be as boring as watching paint dry.. And sometimes it's not lol
Forreal 😂
This reminds me of the stories that they would have on the old time radio programs. Thanks for sharing it. By the way I'm working as a field surveillance investigator.
As soon as I heard footsteps I would have dropped the slide or manual safety
I live in a rural small town....for about 2 miles around me everyone is related one way another everyone knows everyone.
I can relate to “the shriek” walking barefoot and in loose shorts in a dark shed I noticed a Copperhead snake between my legs on the floor. Man can fly and I did as I shrieked when the air in my lugs rushed out as broke the world record for the long jump, using both legs from a standing position! 🏆🥇
🤣🤣🤣 that is terrifying!
Oh, sort a beginner mistake or lack of [military] training. When framed, ditch the equipment; should've abandoned the car (call the rental office to pick it up), call a cab, check out, secure perimeter, get away. Composure is everything as well first lesson in surveillance - of any kind: do not get caught.
LOL, no I wouldn’t call it a beginner mistake by any means. And, I am prior military. I wasn’t going to ditch anything as I had a couple thousand dollars worth of equipment with me. I don’t know if calling a cab would have changed anything. I didn’t want to be with out a vehicle. And I am not checking out without my stuff. It’s one of those situations that you don’t expect to evolve in that manner but it taught me some valuable lessons. Lessons that I carried with me the rest of my career and that helped others in the process. So, while it scared the crap out of me, it changed the way I saw surveillance and how I taught it. In surveillance, investigators get “caught” all the time. Not physically caught, but identified by the person they are doing surveillance with. Every circumstance is different and sometimes you have to put yourself out there a little to get the video. I was a top investigator for the company before that incident but I was even better after.
Yeah, this is a situation you never want to find yourself in, but sometimes things go south. It's fortunate that it ended on a relatively peaceful note at least, and that you learned something from the experience. Nice story.
Thats a good plot for a movie right there!
Right!
That police chief...needs to be investigated ...You may save someone who would be innocent sent to prison..
That was a crazy story. Thanks for sharing. I’ve been followed a few times by car and did the same thing by flooring it in order to lose the subject. I’ve since made the decision to never do that again because of how dangerous it can be and the likelihood of an accident. I’ve also been followed on foot surveillance as well a couple of times. It’s never fun. But it comes with the territory. It mostly happens to those of us who are aggressive and actually come to work.
Yes it is dangerous at times. With that being said, if it happens to much then we are doing something wrong. We need to pick and choose our moments. We can't get everything they do. Sometimes we have to let the documenation happen organically without forcing it. These types of things never happen to me anymore. And I still get the job done. A burnt case is bad for everyone...You, the client, your business or the company you work for. Pick your agressive moments:) We can't be aggressive 100 percent of the time. If we are we will miss out on moments that are critical to the surveillance because we have compromised the file getting burned.
@@PrivateInvestigatorAdvice gggggguiuiui I üu
It's so easy to sit in front of a computer and second guess someone else when there is no threat, but I would have abandoned that white rental and called to have another totally different car delivered and left in that. Call your boss to contact the rental car company and have it picked up.
There were limited vehicles to choose from in that area. I had to make due with what they had
I just got my criminal justice degree. Was thinking about getting my PI's license before I go into law school
nice. p i work seems interesting
Yeah, just go straight to law school. Retire from that and then enter investigations. More money in law then in investigations
@@PrivateInvestigatorAdvice Is the stress greater than, less than, or equal to, in either profession?
Thank you for sharing your story, im glad everything turned out ok although I'm sure that gave you some post traumatic stress. This line of work is some intriguing to me. I've been reading anything I can get my hands on about it. You mentioned that you've been to a lot of states with the job? Was that with the same company or did you move around? Is that a common aspect of the job? I love going to new places so that would be good for me as well. Thank you
“I’m not dying here today ,
No sir “😂😂😭 omg
When I read title of video I wanted to see if I would be terrified. That really was a pretty scary story.Did it ever cross your mind that they might know your home address? That would be the worst case scenario. It almost makes me think the guy was involved in shady things with the police to. idk. you told the story well though. it felt like I was there. I'm sorry that happened to you.
Hey Jose. I was totally scared about him knowing where I lived. Absolutely. I stopped worrying about it after a month or so. But yes, that was totally on my mind. I was freaked for sure and that last for months. I do think the guy was shady for sure. I don't know if he was shady with the police. Just a really really stupid decisions by the Police Chief to give him my informaiton. He must have owed him favors or something. They might have been friends.
Great story. I’d go so far as to say you “screeched” like a boy.
Just a slight correction. *everyone* screeches when they are scared.
Lol. Fair enough.
Yeah. I was terrified for sure.
How did he know where you were staying? I mean I understand how he got your info after the Chief of police gave him your name and all that, but how did they know what hotel you were at?
Small town. Not many to choose from. 3 major cities in that state. Each one hours away. Pretty easy to find me unfortunately
I watched this video last night having just arrived into a small rural town for a 3 day file. Well...i have trouble finding the road to the subs res, i drive around this rural cowfarm area only to find a long driveway leading to a residence tucked in the bushes, so i drive up it, see the house number and its a match! no vehicles though so i leave the area fast. then i have the subject drive up their driveway as i was leaving the area...needless to say, i went home the next day. not nearly as scary as yours but oddly coincidental
How could the police chief possibly give this guy your current location? He would have to be tracking your cell phone or something like that in real time. That sounds very unlikely, expensive, and tedious.
TCFBRP I called 911. I asked that an officer meet with me. That is how he he knew where I was. And he gave that info to the idiot
@@PrivateInvestigatorAdvice makes sense. Did you ever find out how the crazed man initially located you at the hotel?
I really appreciate your telling of this compelling story! Please look back at your transcript and take note of the excessive use of “like” “kinda” “uh” “yaknow” as well as the “tisking” habit you have of making this popping sound by sucking the tip of your tongue against your top front teeth. It detracted very much from your story. If you’re going to be a broadcaster, it’s something you must consider, for the sake of your story. I mean this sincerely without any sense of condescension.
Gabriel, I agree with you. Unfortunately I recorded those once without edit for a podcast that I do. I don't edit these. Basically what you see and hear is exactly what is on my actual podcast. With that being said, some folks, such as yourself can't get past the ums and ahhs. And I don't blame ya. I hope at the core you got the information I was hoping to pass along with you. And to be sure that i am working on my skills as a speaker and better podcaster, my wife and I are now attending Toastmasters so I can get better at talking without all the ums. My podcasts are unprofessional so you will hear those regular words like, kinda, ya know. That is how I talk. :) . Thank you for the feedback. I am actively working on it. I will be making new podcasts soon. I hope you subscribe to this channel and my podcast channel as well. Thank you again.
Private Investigator Advice I’m subscribed and definitely a fan if your work! I’m grateful my tone came through as supportive and you embraces the feedback. Goes to show what kind of guy you are.
Thanks for the info and I totally see what you mean. Sometimes it’s better to just tell the story straight up.
Look forward to your upcoming content! Best of luck.
Awesome story. Thank you
How did he find out about your name by running a plate of a rental vehicle? Any answer for that? I am confused.
Preet Sandhu assuming guy gave plate to police chief. They ran it and determined it was a rental. Police chief called rental company and got my information. Gave info to guy.
crook friend of mine described how he would go about stealing my motorcycle: he said the first thing, if he didn't know me, is he would ask around to see if it was common knowledge that I was "connected," either to LE or the criminal underworld. IOW, know your enemy, as Sun Tzu advises.
A terrifying lone ranger mission.Big lesson veteran.
Huge lesson for me. And i have a perspective to share with others as a result of it
OMG that police chief should've been fired from the department ......... Passing on information to a citizen who is supposed to be a complete psycho .... Like what the hell man ..... You are incredibly lucky to get out of that situation ....... Man that was freaking scary 😎😎😎
I'm pretty sure hotels are not allowed to confirm patrons that are staying at their establishments either.
Giving person information to citizens is not legal.
If I call and asked to be transferred to your room. You have just confirmed that you are staying there
OnG i could not do this job without GPS. The initial issue wouldn’t be a problem if you could see you were going down a driveway
I whistleblew twice reported to Congress once and reported on acold case murder that the state prison system hid reported to a triple letter was retaliated against and impoverished said the hell with this and am in school full time earning a double major but I thought to actually get paid as a PI instead of just because it is the right thing to do. How does one go about it in Texas?
That is insane! Lol I would have felt the same way.
Yall better get that (G)angster License if your operating in Florida
Yeah...I am good lol.
what kind of database do you use to track someone down? I used Delvepoint for info but their info were so outdated.
I like Tracers
Why do you feel their databases are outdated? With that being said, I enjoyed using tracers
Great story. Thanks
I am glad you found some value from that story. Changed the way I view surveillance cases from that point on. :).
Andrew....one question: Is it normal for hidden camera footage to disappear (go fuzzy, no image) while using your cell phone? I used my cell phone at the same time as recording with hidden camera...and that's exactly what happened! The hidden camera footage went all fuzzy (like out of focus TV). Please answer! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Yeah, I am not sure. That is weird. I only use covert cameras for video. I don’t mess with cell phone video though I know some people prefer that
Cool story man
Yeah if you run the plates on a rental car it would come back to the rental company right? And how would the police get his flight information?
They called the rental company that sane way they called the first hotel I assume. The plane I have no idea
Possibly they just flagged him for travel without knowing his flight infornation
Jack Stone yes it would come back to the rental company which they would call and ask who rented the vehicle. The rental kiosk was in the airport which the again could ask when I flew in and was flying out
Private Investigator Advice Wow man that’s scary that a company would just give up your info like that on a phone call without further verification that it’s a legit law enforcement agency. Glad you made it out of that one ok.
Should've had your car towed and left out the backside and then taken a taxi from a few blocks away.
That would have been quite the todo. Though may have worked. I just didn’t think he was still there that is why I took my chances
Sounds like he called the rental company to get your info. I would be pissed at rental company for giving out your name .
Ryan Godbout I don’t Joni’s how that works when a chief of police calls asking. I was upset and of course scared
Thanks for the great story!
Great video man!
Quick question for you, How does one go about getting experience in the p.i. field?
Visit PIADVICE.NET and search experience
Thank you for sharing.
Of course. I hope you found value in that experience.
The police chief didn't do a blunt mistake, in this particular case. He knew if you were to start anything legally it would begin with your trespassing at first - by mistake or not, hard to prove. And so he knew you were in trouble even before running your plate. It's called the upper hand. In this case you had no leverage and instinctively you chose to leave without further inquiring. What happened is a common occurrence in other TAs. The good part is you escaped unharmed and you learned. Bad outcome you are now a "persona non grata" not only on that area/community but nationally.
A police chief should never give a private citizen the information he provided. Driving down a driveway and turning around accidentally would hardly be labeled as trespassing. And I would go to battle in court over that. Any solicitor would automatically be labeled as a trespasser. Any religious door to door in individual would be trespassing. I don’t follow your rationale. Nor would the police officer I spoke with.
Is being a private investigator fun? I’m coming off a loss prevention background.
Mario Mantilla i might of said yes when I first started but I would say it can be stressful for a variety of reasons. Check out my podcast and listen to episodes 1 through 10
Private Investigator Advice but in your opinion what’s the percentage of fun vs stress for a young man with no kids and an open schedule?
Everyone’s different but that would doing this as a single person would make it a lot easier because you can be more flexible
dude that is the craziest story I think i would have aborted the mission when i got a white car with no tint leaves you to wide open. hope things have got better i have done some surveillance and one little thing goes wrong I sit back reassess you never know what people will do for revenge
I had to work with the rental car I had. I had flown there and had a hotel. I needed to be billable just so the company could maybe break even on the case. Like I said, that case changed they way I did everything after that and the way I taught surveillance
The pretext is always “IM looking for this guy, (show mugshot of local sex offender with or without address depending on prox) and he drives a (insert claimant/subject vehicle)” and if your feeling ballsy “if you wouldn’t mind, text me on this (burner) if you see this vehicle”
Yeah, that may work, but what wake do you leave as a result. When neighbors start talking about you. The neighborhood becomes hyper aware
If you prepare for the worst, then lots of these things wouldn't be a surprise. Like having gassed up already. Like figuring the guy would pull out all the stops to check you out. Assuming the guy would know someone who knows someone. Had to freak you out, especially if that was the first time you were busted. But having a plan in place to Cover your ASP would be the most important thing. "What if" things to death, not to be paranoid but by playing a game with it. A little cat and mouse. Oh, and carry an HK. Or 4. ;)
Of course things were learned from this. It shaped me as you can imagine. This wasnt the first time I had been caught. But then first and last time it ever got escalated.
@@PrivateInvestigatorAdvice If I only knew then what I know now is something just about everybody can say............
Im in Australia and never been to the States ..
But I'm 1000% sure you were in UTAH.
This screams the FLDS community.
Can you use an alias with a drivers license to match, especially when renting cars, checking into hotels, etc..?
I have used alias's yes. But never a fake license or something to that effect. Fake name, fake business card but not license or passport or offical documents.
One of my instructors tinted a rental cars windows haha
This is the kind of story I was curious about involving the Police. Just curious.
So was the guy following you a cop? I didn’t catch that...if not, why on earth would the police chief give your info to a private citizen?
No he was not a cop. He was friends with the police chief in another county however
Was this a workers comp. case? You may have said it, but I didn't remember hearing it.
ndguitarplayer it was an insurance related investigation. Yes. :)
Great story. Wow.
Someone's face is getting thinner. Good work Andrew.
Yes it is. Thanks Diana! Almost at my first goal of 200lbs. Should be hitting the 60-pound mark tomorrow.
Private Investigator Advice well that's great....how are you doing it
How could he get your information from a rental car license plate?
From the police chief
You should get a bullet resistant jacket or vestment, still that's pretty intense, that dude must've been a psycho.
I believe he was a psycho lol.
the real moral of this story is only you can do that rock on 🤘🤘
You know what though? You follow people ALL the time so you can't be mad when they turn the tables on you right?
No. Not mad. Just scared how it all went down. It happens. I learned a lot from that time in my career. It never happened again after that. Changed how I viewed surveillance and how I approached it.
What about reciprocity?
What do u mean?
YOU SHOULD HAVE OUSTED THE COP THAT THINKS HE IS ABOVE THE LAW ! I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE HAD THEIR 4TH. AMENDMENT VIOLATED BY A TYRANT, DISGUISED AS A CHIEF ? OR MUCH WORSE HOW MANY ARE DEAD NOW ? GIVEN THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES CHIEF'S BUDDY COULD HAVE OUSTED YOU !!
I have a few stories like that myself.
How do you think it's crazy when you stock a guy for awhile and he confronts you just about anyone would want to keep someone from creeping on yourself
Well I technically on conducted surveillance for one day. Out of the 16 or so years I have conducted surveillance I had never encountered the same situation. The extent, the connections this guy had, the fact that the police chief did what he did (which was not ok), etc.. I had never seen anyone go to those lengths to track me down. This wasn't the first time I was burned on a case. But any investigator would understand that this is not typically how something like this would play out. It literally changed so much about how I approached surveillance cases from this point forward.
I hate this happened, but fantastic listen and advice much heeded! Thanks!
Everything happens for a reason. I think one of those reasons was to make sure other people are aware of the bad things that can possibly happen. Thanks for the comment!
Why aren’t you actively protecting yourself?
What would you have suggested I do?
Buddy I have to say isn’t your job to not get caught. The client couldn’t of been very happy with your services.
David Restivo well if you have worked as many surveillance assignments as I have it is bound to happen especially with the pressure to get results, identify who they are and what they look like and follow them in an extremely rural area. Every investigator gets made if they work enough cases
Dude that’s a pretty ignorant comment
Playback speed on 1.75x babyy lol
The subject was probably an intel agent.
SaxonBlau he was an unsavory person
Can you have the ability to carry?
Like be an armed private investigator?
What idiot wouldn't enjoy being followed? I'm sure anyone with common sense wouldn't try and find out who was stalking them 🤔
I get trying to find out. But in 16 years no one tried to find out in this manner. Anyone with common sense would know why they are being followed (insurance fraud, child custody, fraud, etc..)
@@PrivateInvestigatorAdvice Illegal gang stalking for clients under false pretenses perhaps.....you forgot about that one.
Except for the fact that it is not. And now you are talking about things you don’t know. Investigating is quite legal. It happens in government, it happens in regards to infidelity, it happens in business, it happens in insurance, it happens all the time. And it is completely legal. We have to literally get licensed by the state and have business licenses. We go to court regarding our investigations. These aren’t some back room investigations that no one knows about. It is a part of the legal process. Lawyers use us too. So I guess you should do a little more research regarding our occupation. And look up the difference between being a private investigator (and the laws we follow in the occupation) and the definition of a stalker. Look up some case law regarding it and then come back and support your statements with actual facts
@@PrivateInvestigatorAdvice P.I. advice, you just may be a decent law abiding investigator. If you truly don't know or believe that there are dirty investigators participating in illegal gang stalking & using illegal tactics then perhaps you need to research. Your posting on TH-cam, it would be a great start to learn. I'm aware that gang stalking doesn't apply to all investigations. Dont take it so personal guy, you seem like you're pretty decent.
lol database access!
👍👍
So, you would drop an investigation if you were "burned" - that is, noticed by the person you are investigating. Due to the risk? Sometimes when people are nervous about being watched - for whatever reason - it's like dealing with a tinderbox. Anything can happen. Being that nervous leads to high blood pressure - and people doing crazy things.
You stop following them for safety reasons and legal reasons. The person in this story was shady and not right (in my opinion).
Well, there would be no legal reason to stop surveilling in my case.....but from a personal safety standpoint, if you are observed, it would make sense to quit. Some people get really nervous - even for no reason. But, I still need the information. However, hidden cameras probably would not work thru tinted glass.
The legal reason would be harassment and stalking
If you need case law I am sure I can get that to u. It is common practice to break off when burned
But a public business has no legal right to prevent video taken outside of store? It is a public place.
I have a lot of empathy for safety risks.
I’m not a private investigator, I’m just a random human being but I’m listening and I have to say as someone who is questioning if she herself is being followed- besides the danger that you could have been put in which I’m glad that you’re okay- how are you okay with putting people through experiences like that?
And I’m not asking this in a pick you apart way, genuinely is this something that you think of and hold empathy towards? It really can scare people and take away the sense of safety that a person has- being followed.
Do u recommend investigators to use rental cars when doing survelliance or using their own car? And also are private investigators about to get access to police reports when doing specific cases?
Its too expensive to use rental cars and they usually don't make for good surveillance vehicles because of lack of tint. So I recommend having your own surveillance vehicle and if you can...have a back up vehicle. As for police reports we have no more access to police reports then the general public. What ever is public information we can access.
Rental cars only come into play when your travelling via plane from location to location that makes driving your own surveillance vehicle not cost effective. Most SUV, vans, and quad cab rentals have tint. Travel with your own curtain set up or hit the local thrift store for dark blue bed sheets. Rentals are nice cause if you get "warm" on a file most companies will let you switch out of the warm vehicle into a fresh one. REBORN! Need to have cop buddies to get an eyeball on police records.
Colin Draper okok. Is it legal for cops to look at police records of individual at any given time? That would be a huge advantage for officers and PI when researching a person
I will have to ask my police friends. Generally speaking, much of that information is pubic record. They might have internal notes however.
@@Forwardfurniture12019 if the case goes to court, how can you legally explain how you got the info.? Then what will you say?
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I would have been scared... just not for my safety.
Your big screw up, was not going and swapping out rental cars when the ah shit happened, driving down his driveway. If I can’t drive to the case in my tinted out vehicle, with ALL my equipment, I’m not going. Better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6.
Well can’t drive to them all Jim
Can ypu speed this up please bud
You know this isn’t live right. You can play it at different speeds.
Tell us what the guy you were investigating did. What were you investigating him for???? Holy shit we don’t know his name or even what state he’s in or anything about this guy, so why can’t you just tell us what this psycho was being investigated for???
Work comp/disability related
U didn't have a gun
No
Private Investigator Advice I know in some states I work in AZ the company I work/ will work for, prefers you not to carry, especially like for surveillance I know geico like stresses not to carry a weapon including mace taser etc.. is that true?
Sgtturtle22 of course. Liability issues
I don't believe a word of this story lol
FitFo really? Ok
@@PrivateInvestigatorAdvice It's not that I don't like your podcast or videos, I do, it's that there were a ton of deceptive signals in the story (could be that you were protecting identifying details in the story) but from my point of view, it was either pure deception, mostly deception, or not your story. I did like the video and will subscribe to the channel :D Love your content (just don't have to buy into it 100%)
FitFo lol ok. Very much my story. I would say this. And I mean it. If you can’t trust my character, then you shouldn’t follow me. Everything I say would be suspect. I was incredibly transparent in sharing what took place and even how scared I was. No worries though. Never received a comment like that before
I’d do the same thing if I had someone following me
Try to get to the point quicker as most are not interested with senseless nonsensical ramblings. Pretend that you are talking to one of your clients while recording a video.
Hey Jason. Thank you for the feedback. These recordings are actually for a podcast. I just kill two birds with one stone. Hence the banter but I will try to be better about that
"Who knows what kind of person they are"?
Probably the kind that doesn't like being followed or stalked.
You say you gunned it through a shopping center because you were terrified. Doesn't feel too great being followed, does it?
Is that what you got from the story? Am I there to harm someone? Am I carrying a gun? Very ignorant
what a spam nothing burger
What are you talking about?
So .in conclusion was ok for you to follow someone spy in him .then was wrong when he was following you better then you did . I think everyone should mind his own business .
Is that how you view this? Being a private investigator is legal. Insurance companies and the general public have the right to use investigators legally. I didn’t follow him to threaten him. He followed me to threaten me. There is a difference.
What a dumbass comment. Elaborate dummy
Cant you like disguise yourself pretend you work for water company