‘High Flight Risk’ Polankski Granted $4.5M Bail

“Dog” the Bounty Hunter may have to learn a little French and change his name to “Le Chien.”

Convicted sex with a child offender and bail-jumper, Roman Polanski, finally arrested in Zurich after 32 years and headed for extradition to Los Angeles, has cut a deal with a Swiss court to make bail there.

The international fugitive would make bail on a negotiated $4.5 million, though the Oscar-winning director (“The Pianist”) would perhaps skedaddle back to France, who has never considered extradition to the U.S. as they consider him an adopted cultural hero.

Polanski will have to pay cash for whatever percentage agreed on with his bailbondsman, in the U.S. about 10 percent. He would then move to a Swiss chalet under house arrest while the Swiss decides if it will appeal the bail decision to their Supreme Court. They have 10 days to do so.

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Bail company loses $50K over man deported from Morris

An insurance company that covered the bail on a man accused of molesting a child in Morris Township, and later deported to his native Honduras, has been ordered by a judge to forfeit the $50,000 bond.

Superior Court Judge John B. Dangler late Friday upheld a colleague's ruling in April that Texas-based Financial Casualty & Surety Co. had to forfeit the $50,000 bail it provided to TBA Bail Bonds in Woodstown when it wrote a bond for sexual assault suspect Carlos Ulloa Murillo, 21.

Murillo was charged in April 2008 with sexually abusing a young girl and posted $50,000 bail in August 2008.

While Murillo was in the Morris County jail, the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency filed a detainer against him for being in this country illegally, and picked him up from the jail two days after he posted bail. An immigration judge in September authorized Murillo's removal to Honduras — leaving the criminal charge against him unresolved.

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Bail System Can Be Confusing For Many

Bail Amounts Tied To Factors Other Than Severity Of Charge

It is the one of the first hurdles suspects face when they get arrested in New Hampshire -- posting bail to get out of lockup. But in many cases, bail varies from tens of thousands of dollars to no money at all.

And sometimes, lesser offenses end up with higher bail amounts. It can be confusing to those unfamiliar with the system, but legal experts said it usually makes sense if you understand what bail is intended to accomplish.

The issue came to a head in one Hooksett neighborhood recently. Registered sex offender Joel Dutton was arrested and charged with assaulting a child, but then allowed to go home on personal recognizance bail -- basically, a promise that he will return to court and follow the rules.

Neighbors expressed outrage that Dutton was released.

Legal experts say understanding the bail system can be difficult. Recent cases show wide differences in bail amounts that don't seem to be related to the severity of the charges.

A college student accused of phone threats was ordered held on $25,000 cash bail. A man accused of assaulting a 2-year-old in West Stewartstown was released on personal recognizance bail. He was later sent to jail -- his bail revoked -- after police said he violated the terms of release.

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'Grandma, I'm in jail and need bail money' scam targets seniors

In recent weeks, Yavapai Sheriff's deputies took two reports of a telephone fraud targeting seniors. A caller contacts an older person claiming to be his or her grandson and shares a believable story of an involvement in an accident or criminal incident in Canada and subsequent arrest. The "grandson" asks for money to post bail and then puts a person on the line, supposedly a bail bondsman. The bondsman provides the bail amount, usually several thousand dollars, and requests that money be wired using a MoneyGram or Western Union service. In some cases the bogus "bondsman," even calls back to thank the victim.

Both Yavapai County victims were suspicious and did not send any money.

This scam appeals to the emotions the elderly who feel an immediate need to help a desperate family member. Stories range from an accident to a situation in which the "grandson" picked up a couple of hitchhikers found with drugs during a traffic stop.

Many suspects use social networking sites, such as MySpace or Facebook, to identify family members through profiles and photos. A check of online phone directories provides a telephone number and the scam is under way. In some cases, suspects find travel plans and give specific family information that makes the scheme more plausible.

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Bail bondsman finds 'Most Wanted' suspect

A bail bondsman tracked down a man featured last week in "Guilford County's Most Wanted."

Greensboro police said officers arrested Jamaal Mauta Perry shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday at 208 E. Whittington St. Police said a bail bondsman found Perry and called police to help with the arrest.

Perry, 29, of 1619 Lincoln. St., is being held in the Guilford County jail on a $17,000 bond. He has been charged with assault by strangulation and a probation violation.

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"Balloon Boy's" Parents Full of Hot Air

A run-away UFO-shaped balloon. A 6 year-old boy trapped inside. On October 16, the world was captivated as this drama unfolded in front of them, only to find out that the boy was hiding at the house the entire time.

It turns out this was nothing but an elaborate scheme set up by Richard and Mayumi Heene to increase their exposure and be on television. The Heenes are expected to plead guilty to criminal charges on Friday stemming from the incident.

While it is possible that they could face jail time, the prosecutor will recommend probation.

What Happens When You DO Steal Something From a Baby...

Next time someone tells you something is "as easy as stealing candy from a baby," think twice about what the consequences might be. Two women in Pennsylvania who pled guilty to using two Wal-Mart gift cards they found at the store were sentenced to holding signs by the courtyard that said, "I stole from a 9-year-old on her birthday! Don't steal or this could happen to you!"

As it turns out, the gift cards the two women found and used were left on a box by a nine year-old child. Despite the child's name on the cards, the women told the cashier the gift cards belonged to them.

Don't believe us? Read the complete story (with pictures!) here.