#avoiding capture

901. Most commercial security systems use magnetic sensors. When a door opens, it breaks an electrical circuit and triggers the alarm, which means defeating the system is just a matter of keeping a magnet in contact with the sensor. Unfortunately, very security-conscious people often customize systems with less-visible sensors. Like a pressure plate in the floor that silently announces your presence and gives whoever’s inside a chance to do something about it.

897. Even a fender-bender can stop traffic for a few minutes, but creating a longer-lasting roadblock is about provoking an emergency response. Cops and firefighters won’t go anywhere near a burning chemical truck billowing smoke that looks toxic. Which means you can get four hours of roadblock with a smoke canister and a little gasoline.

895. When a plan goes wrong, it’s crucial to stay cool. You may have to bail out, but how you bail out is everything. Do you run and leave behind evidence that gives away your plan to your enemies? Or do you keep the mission alive by covering your tracks?

831. When you don’t have time for a thorough search, the next best option is to take what you can on your way out. But if you don’t want anyone to know you were there, you’re limited to things they won’t miss. Like trash.

719. Foot chases rarely last long. During the initial burst of adrenaline, it’s important to keep your target in view. If you can, you’ll probably catch up. Few people have anything left in the tank after a quarter mile at top speed.

653. As dangerous as a high-speed chase can be, there’s nothing quite as treacherous as a no-speed chase. If you get pursued into bad traffic, your operating paradigm has to shift. Your car’s no longer being pursued, you are. Just because your car can’t move doesn’t mean you can’t.

650. When you’re being hunted in a crowd, your biggest advantage is that your opponents can’t maintain visual contact with each other. The key is to move without drawing attention to yourself. When you can, you disguise your actions as something else. When you can’t, you strike fast and hard.

593. If you find yourself in a high-speed pursuit while driving in a caravan, you don’t always have to be faster than the cops. You just have to be faster than the guy next to you. Of course, it helps if you are faster than the cops.