When You Have Had Enough —
Or More Than Enough
continued
After taking down initial information, my team knew that Jim was traveling to Phoenix the following week and Alice provided me with his travel plans. I had my agents in the area situated at the airport to observe the subject, Jim, and suspect, Selva, exit through baggage to an awaiting limousine. Once the subject and suspect had departed in the car, agents were on their trail. In most cases, the wife would know where the subject would be staying; in this case, we didn’t know for sure. But since we had two agents on surveillance of the limousine, we would be doubly assured our chances of continuing surveillance successfully.
The limousine arrived at the prestigious Phoenician Hotel where they entered together. Our immediate mission was then to confirm that the couple would be staying together. One agent quickly used valet for his vehicle and entered the hotel to set-up surveillance inside. Our agent observed the subject approach the front desk where he obviously was a frequent guest. The clerk greeted him warmly, handed him room keys and then continued to escort the subject and suspect up to their suite.
In an upscale hotel like this, it is difficult for an agent to conduct surveillance. Once entering the elevator the agent invites the subject, suspect and guest services to enter first. The guest services manager pressed the fifth floor. Our agent then pressed the 6th floor.
Investigator’s tip: You always want to either let the subject in an elevator first to ascertain which floor they are on, or, if you have no choice but to enter first, then press the top floor and exit off the next floor after the subject and suspect. By the time you make it down the stairs, they should be close to entering their room. You never want to be forced to exit on the same floor and have the subject and suspect notice you.
In this case: bingo! The subject and suspect entered the room with luggage, confirming to the investigator that the subject and suspect were staying in the same room.
While this investigation continued on for about two more days. We were able to obtain video of the subject and suspect kissing and holding hands while lounging at the pool.
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