InterceptRadio.com Forums

Hi, I have been reading this forum off and on for a couple years now, and have learned a lot. Seems like the people on this board would enjoy this-

A year ago or so I gave my brother a uniden scanner as a gift. He is a police officer in one of the big departments. Turns out the last thing he wants to do when he gets home is listen to a police scanner! Instead, he mounted it in his car so he could listen to local sheriff and other agencies that were not connected to the city system.

A couple weeks ago, he was listening to some armed robbery suspect descriptions that were going out on the sheriff’s radio, and kept hearing about a blue camaro that the suspect was using to leave the scene of the crime. Well, later that night the same guy was robbing some gas stations in the city, and the city police had set up a task force, etc, to find this guy, but by that time there were no reports of a blue camaro. My brother happened to be getting gas in his squad car, when he saw a blue camaro at an intersection, and heard the call come over the radio that another gas station had been robbed right down the street, but the suspect was on foot. On a hunch he followed the blue camaro and pulled it over.

Long story short, this was the guy, and after a little scuffle, the robber was caught and taken off the street. He had a loaded weapon on the seat, and made a couple attempts to grab it, luckily everything turned out OK for my brother.

Morale of the story is, the scanner (and alertness) is the only reason my brother heard the additional information about the blue camaro being used in the robberies, and without this the robber would most likely have not been caught that night.

good thing scanners are illegal in some states huh?

:D Nice Story thank you :)


STEVE F.

_________________
GOD BLESS 73s

Makes me wonder, how many other stories are out there where an extra set of eyes helped out, after hearing something on the scanner.

Got a few myself, trying to unobtrusively help without being in the way. Last year was coming through Cle Elum and heard a call on WSP about a wrong way driver that did a hit and run just east of exit 85. Was heading for westbound when at the top of the ramp, I saw the vehicle matching the description. Called it in, and they apprehended the guy shortly after. Was a bit neat to help answer the trooper's questions before the dispatcher could relay them.

Don't get me wrong, not one of the 'do gooder' nuts out there trying to play cop or anything. But if there's a call to be on the lookout, I keep my eyes peeled. Ok, I do take a certain pleasure when I hear WSP aircraft up on a trap, and seeing someone that just flew by me at warp speed getting speed readings. ( A guilty pleasure)

Steve

Which states?

Usually the same states that ban radar detectors

Indiana, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, and Minnesota ban the vehicle use unless you are a ham or have written permission from the police chief. Minnesota, you must have a technician class or above.

New York? Possession of a scanner is illegal without a permit, moving or not.


Scary

http://www.ncsl.org/programs/esnr/radar.htm

i'm sorry.. i ment to say that it is illigal to scan in a car in some states

Indiana - (2002 law) - Use illegal while mobile. Includes use of a handheld scanner on a pedestrian, as well

to get a seemingly upto date state by state list check out this huge list:
http://www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/scanner5.html

[quote="Kevin"]Which states?