You are here:

Careers: Police/Kidnapping/Abduction

Advertisement

Expert: - 2/19/2011


Question
Hi Jack,
I am writing a novel in which two of my main characters are abducted from NYC and stashed across the river in Jersey, where they learn their nemesis has abducted them to gain access to their account at a gold depository in Denver, among other reasons (revenge).

Due to a fiery crash while being hauled back into the city, in which my characters are injured but survive (of course), the hired thugs are dead but their nemesis is still out there. My characters are hauled away to a NYC ER where they find out a third character was poisoned (by the same thugs) but also survived.
The following are my questions:
1. After the initial statement was made, declaring the abduction and reason for it, at what point, if any, would the FBI get involved? Not sure they would but the big bucks and having been taken across state lines seem to spark the question.
2. If the FBI is likely to get involved, would my characters still be seeing anything from the local NYPD detectives?
3. After the poisoning is discovered, what is the likelihood that any protection would be offered as they are sure the nemesis is not going to give up?

Answer
Mary,

I wouldn't think that the FBI would be involved.  Yes they did travel across state lines but there is no federal crime because there was no ransom demand.  It sounds like a case that the NYPD could easily handle.  If somehow the culprits did get access to gold in Denver then maybe the NPYD would ask for the FBI to get involved.

People are almost never given police protection except in the movies.  They might be encouraged to move in with relatives, etc, but they don't have officers assigned to them.


You know the more I think about it this might very well be a federal crime.  But it would also be a state crime.  These days the FBI is up to their necks in espionage and terrorism cases and usually defer to local police if they want the case so its likely the NYPD would handle it.

Careers: Police

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Jack Toomey

Expertise

U.S.: I am an expert in this category for the purpose of giving young people an idea what the hiring process involves for the position of police officer. I am getting a flood of questions from young people who are being influenced by unrealistic television shows. I'd ask you to consider that when you watch police shows on television that they are NOT realistic and most of what you see does not happen in real life. Please do not ask me about potential jail sentences that you, your friends, or family might receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. I am NOT a probation officer so I cannot answer questions about probation and parole matters. I am a retired police officer with 26 years experience.I worked in a variety of assignments including investigations, homicide, sex crimes, runaway investigations, missing persons, and fraud.I also dealt with the general public during that time giving a wide range of advice on matters such as domestic disputes, problem solving, teenage problems, civil/criminal matters, and dealing with the mentally ill. I am available to give sound and reasonable advice which can solve most problems. Please do not ask me to do homework questions or online interviews. Young people should not rely on the Internet for interviews. Local police officers are normally very agreeable to assist students with interviews and surveys.

Experience

Worked as a police officer/detective for 26 years.

Graduate of the University of Maryland.B.S. in Law Enforcement.Attended numerous schools and training courses involving investigations, interviewing, interrogations, crime detection, domestic violence, and others. Recognized in court as an expert witness.

Received numerous awards during my police career for expert investigations. Handled the most sensitive and confidential investigations. In 1999 I won an award for my work with high school students while working in my new career in a large suburban high school.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.