search warrant safe opening

Did a job for the FBI . The warrant allowed them to search the customer's safe and they hired me to do the p&e and open ANYTHING locked. Rule of thumb was unlock and move out of their way.

mr.bill

Through the years I have been on many jobs with various law enforcement agencies. One thing they all had in common was ,they didnt care how or what I had to do as long as the container was opened for them to search.

Gary Hardigree Georgia Safe and Lock Co.

I do 2-3 search warrants a month, it depends on what the warrant says if they can even open the safe, like if you are looking for a stolen elephant you can not open a floor safe, the elephant wouldn't fit. but if you are looking for paper work on the elephant you can open the safe. Also the arrest status of the person comes into play , i opened a kidnaped victims safe, the pd paid for both opening and repair. mike is not under arrest, his safe would most likely have to be opened with care. A drug dealer sitting in cuffs can have his safe opened with a crow bar and destroyed. But one thing to remember is all of the suspects are given the opportunity to give up the combos before someone is called in to do an opening.

If you presume that folks who are expecting the FBI may have boobytrapped the safe, moving out of the way is a Very Good Thing; dealing with that threat is THEIR job.

How did you get that gig? Did they call you one day, or did you approach them? And if the latter, whom did you contact to offer your services?

Bobby

bobby I subcontract out to @ 35 locksmiths, and it just ends up getting known , as for approaching the pd , they dont seem to talk among themselves, so you might do the drug warrants but someone else does the vice warrants

If they have a search warrant they will go as far as they need to to open and container they suspect contains material covered by the warrant. Opening virtually any safe is not a big deal when you don't have to worry about time or secrecy.

I have heard of several cases where police searches missed hidden material that was later discovered accidently.

Do any PD's charge the owner for cracking a safe where the owner refuses to divulge the combo?

Probably not. They don't charge the perp for their other costs. They charge him with other things. <grin/>

I know the pd in irvine does if you got money.

They will sue the cops - the cops (rather City Hall, the County, the State or Uncle Sam) have deeper pockets. Interestingly, how many locksmiths have been sued when helping the cops?

It might not hurt to consult an attorney just in case: some state governemental immunity laws might not allow a suit against the police, but a locksmith MIGHT still be a viable defendant.

they sign the 'permission slips out the Yazoo BEFORE I would touch one... just because... and define the HOW to be opened... repairable, or not...

--Shiva--

Presumably the immunity laws also cover people assisting police in execution of their duties, so a formal written request to assist should extend that immunity to the person doing the opening. Attorney's advice is appropriate and the local association or guild may well have sought such advice.

Good faith reliance on a court order is almost always a defense.

Stu