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Comment by paulpauper | Hacker News Reader

I don't get it. Why do these criminal masterminds always get arrested at the airport? The authorities know who they are, yet for some reason decide to wait for them to go to the airport instead of just arresting them at home or wherever? I guess this shows that if you are a fugitive from justice, or expect to be indicted, stay the fuck away from the airport. take the bus, uber, or train or something.

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An investigation can keep gathering evidence more easily if the suspects are still generating evidence. About to board an international flight is logical as the spot where the investigators need to decide: arrest now or it's gonna be much much harder later. As long as the investigator knows they are at home, there is no rush. A bus to Mexico would be an arrest also.

They were in Phoenix why not drive yourself to Mexico? I’ve never been stopped by American border agents on the way into Mexico. Rocky point is a short ~3.5 hour drive, you can show up and get a nice condo for ~150 a night at one of the many resorts. Then you can start working on your next steps.

If they were smart they’d realize that the same amount of effort can be put into legal activities and you get to keep the proceeds at the end. For the most part smart people have already self-selected out of a life of crime.

Airports post-911 have a robust security setup with only a few clearly defined entrances and exits, with a person stationed at each one, in addition to whatever team you have brought with you. If you’re arrested at the terminal, they have likely already swept you for weapons without raising your suspicions already.

good point about having been swept for weapons already!

Yeah, but they were identified and enough evidence to make the arrest, yet decided to wait. that is the puzzling part. how long would they have waited.

By arresting them at an airport, and presuming they're already under surveillance, law enforcement gets another piece of evidence (fleeing) to argue?

> Why do these criminal masterminds always get arrested at the airport?

International flight means entry/exit searches can happen more easily and/or less likely to be deemed unconstitutional. IANAL.

https://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/48010/202...

Buying airline tickets may be an excellent red herring strategy if that's how police units plan to catch people though!

Because they're fugitives on the run, and the airport is the place to go to run away quickly.

I am not a lawyer but I believe allowing them to attempt to flee goes to consciousness of guilt.

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