# How would you avoid being captured in this scenario? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 20, 2024, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-avoid-being-captured-in-this-scenario/1004482 "2024-07-20T01:18:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-avoid-being-captured-in-this-scenario/1004482/41 "2024-07-22T16:54:20Z")
Okay, let’s get violent. Several people have suggested holing up in your own house and shooting anybody who tried to enter. But if you’re willing to kill somebody to get a hundred million dollars, why assume the other people aren’t? You’re a catcher in the game. You drive out to their house and see the target is inside and has posted signs saying they will shoot intruders. Set the house on fire. Riddle it with machine gun fire. Throw in a bomb. Dump some poison gas. Any of these methods will kill and “capture” a person who’s holed up inside a known location. And you’ve won a hundred million dollars. People have committed murder for smaller sums. The police will show up to investigate. But so what? You’re a random person who lived in the vicinity of the crime scene. There’s no reason you’ll be the subject of their investigation. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-avoid-being-captured-in-this-scenario/1004482/42 "2024-07-22T17:55:14Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Set the house on fire. Riddle it with machine gun fire. Throw in a bomb. Dump some poison gas. Any of these methods will kill and “capture” a person who’s holed up inside a known location. And you’ve won a hundred million dollars. People have committed murder for smaller sums. Counterpoint, the OP specified “capture”. Dead isn’t capture, not that @Cmyers1980 has returned to address any of the other concerns about violence / legal issues / sponsor. Plus, I respect that most of the board could manage to make poison gas without killing themselves out of household chemicals (we are smarter than the average bear!) but suspect that a number of the randomly chosen 25 would not - still leaves firearms and fire of course, but in many, possibly verging on MOST non-rural areas, SOMEONE would be recording you, and after your fire/shooting/poison attack (especially if you didn’t own firearms before) I think the odds are very good someone will have enough imagery to identify you. And the cops will be motivated I think. So yeah, assuming the scenario allows KILL = CAPTURE, you might win the money, but odds are quite high (by no means certain) that you’re back to losing all the money and ending up in jail for a looooong time. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-avoid-being-captured-in-this-scenario/1004482/43 "2024-07-22T18:08:29Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > I respect that most of the board could manage to make poison gas without killing themselves out of household chemicals (we are smarter than the average bear!) but suspect that a number of the randomly chosen 25 would not Making poison gas is easy. You just mix some readily available- What that? I’ve just been informed that continuing this post might result in a suspension of my posting privileges. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-avoid-being-captured-in-this-scenario/1004482/44 "2024-07-22T18:09:30Z")
I’m pretty sure the OP meant ‘capture’ as in capture alive, and presumably, unharmed. But he can come clarify what he means. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-avoid-being-captured-in-this-scenario/1004482/45 "2024-07-22T18:13:21Z")
I’m not the OP but I feel it’s only fair that if the chasers are not allowed to kill the target, the target shouldn’t be allowed to kill the chasers. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-avoid-being-captured-in-this-scenario/1004482/46 "2024-07-22T18:16:40Z")
Leave phone at home. Drive to NYC Snacks from a bodega Random hotel Pile all the furniture against the door Watch TV until I’m rich ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-avoid-being-captured-in-this-scenario/1004482/47 "2024-07-22T18:20:13Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I’m not the OP but I feel it’s only fair that if the chasers are not allowed to kill the target, the target shouldn’t be allowed to kill the chasers. I’m sympathetic, but the implication in the “check the house” answer is that you’re breaking in because otherwise just looking in the windows proves squat. I’d fully accept a requirement that neither side be able to break the law, but that means locking yourself in the home is perfect defense. Unless, and again, the OP just hasn’t bothered, the rules of the game prevent you from doing so. Which, fine, you go to the nearest _good_ friend/family member’s house and do the same (they really can’t outbribe you, as you’ll both have equal access to money when the contest is over). Really, without more rules, we’re inventing our own. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-avoid-being-captured-in-this-scenario/1004482/48 "2024-07-22T18:47:00Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Making poison gas is easy. You just mix some readily available- > > What that? > > I’ve just been informed that continuing this post might result in a suspension of my posting privileges. lemme help you out > [@](#): > > You just mix some readily available- **chemicals together** don’t know why you’re afraid of being suspended 😉 > [@ParallelLines](#): > > I’m sympathetic, but the implication in the “check the house” answer is that you’re breaking in because otherwise just looking in the windows proves squat. I have multiple windowless rooms in my house 1½ baths & the basement. Two of them I could throw an air mattress on the floor & spend 24 hrs somewhat comfortably. I don’t think that’s in the spirit of what the OP was going for, though; let’s just say in your haste to get supplied into a room for the next 24 hrs you forgot to close/lock the door so it’s trivially easy for someone to just walk in, no breaking & entering required. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-avoid-being-captured-in-this-scenario/1004482/49 "2024-07-22T18:53:46Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > lemme help you out > > > [@](#): > > > > You just mix some readily available- **chemicals together** Wouldn’t work in my house. I shop organic. None of the products I buy contain any chemicals. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-avoid-being-captured-in-this-scenario/1004482/50 "2024-07-22T19:02:43Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Wouldn’t work in my house. I shop organic. None of the products I buy contain any chemicals. Well then in that case you just mix together \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* & \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* _What? you think I want to get suspended?_ ---
**Author:** ![Dark\_Sponge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dark_sponge/32/121_2.png) [@Dark\_Sponge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dark_Sponge)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-avoid-being-captured-in-this-scenario/1004482/51 "2024-07-22T19:06:54Z")
The high school kids in our town play a similar game. A few runners (without cars) have a 5 minute start to try to get from the high school parking lot to the bridge leading out of town, about 2 miles. The chasers have cars. The game takes place at night and there are few rules except the runners must surrender when touched. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-avoid-being-captured-in-this-scenario/1004482/52 "2024-07-22T19:47:19Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I’m not the OP but I feel it’s only fair that if the chasers are not allowed to kill the target, the target shouldn’t be allowed to kill the chasers. Anyone found to have killed one of the other participants is fined $25. Problem solved. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-avoid-being-captured-in-this-scenario/1004482/53 "2024-07-22T19:50:45Z")
New plan. 1. Kill the twenty-five chasers. 2. Pay $625 fine. 3. Profit! ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-avoid-being-captured-in-this-scenario/1004482/54 "2024-07-22T20:01:33Z")
Now you’re thinking! ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-avoid-being-captured-in-this-scenario/1004482/55 "2024-07-22T21:35:12Z")
> [@ASL\_v2.0](#): > > Why not just… leave it at home? It all depends on the tech savviness of the pursuers\* or their access to techy people. I’d be tempted to do the clever move i’ve seen in thrillers: drop my phone in a bus, or stash it in a random car. (Ooh, at a gas station! That way you know it’ll be on the move immediately. Watch which direction the car goes, you go a different one.) \*The more I think about this, you’ll need a lot of rules to keep this from being too easy. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-avoid-being-captured-in-this-scenario/1004482/56 "2024-07-22T21:51:13Z")
Several points: - Killing isn’t capturing. - Shooting home intruders is **legal** , breaking into a house to murder someone isn’t. - I’m already armed, most people aren’t going to have explosives and machine guns within 24 hours. - You’re also assuming that it’s readily apparent that the person is home. Are the attackers also cool with blowing up houses and whatnot if they don’t know who’s inside? ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-avoid-being-captured-in-this-scenario/1004482/57 "2024-07-22T21:55:08Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > What about a dog tracking you by scent? Nobody said I couldn’t shoot a dog following me, the dog would be far enough ahead to his handlers that it wouldn’t matter. When I said I would be dressed appropriatly that includes a gun. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-avoid-being-captured-in-this-scenario/1004482/58 "2024-07-22T22:37:06Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Leave phone at home. > Drive to NYC > Snacks from a bodega > Random hotel > Pile all the furniture against the door > Watch TV until I’m rich Why bother leaving the phone? Nothing is saying the chasers are law enforcement or have access to any resources that law enforcement can use. Even with law enforcement, phone companies won’t release data without a warrant and won’t release real time location updates without an affidavit stating there is an eminent and exigent threat. Keep your phone. ---
**Author:** ![Cmyers1980](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyers1980/32/11814_2.png) [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-avoid-being-captured-in-this-scenario/1004482/59 "2024-07-22T23:59:17Z")
They have to capture you alive and keep you alive to get the money. You can harm them but you aren’t necessarily immune from any legal consequences after the day is up. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2024, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-avoid-being-captured-in-this-scenario/1004482/60 "2024-07-23T01:38:30Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Shooting home intruders is **legal** , breaking into a house to murder someone isn’t. I’d be a white man with a hundred million dollars. By definition, nothing I do would be illegal. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-avoid-being-captured-in-this-scenario/1004482.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-avoid-being-captured-in-this-scenario/1004482.md?page=4)