Ummm.. Isn't impersonating police officers a federal crime?? - Overhaulin' (2004) Discussion

Possibly, but they are not doing it for criminal gain.

Plus it happens all the time in movies and tv crime dramas.

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[–] Cobryn 14 years ago

But difference with movies and crime dramas those are totally fake.

With this they are actually pretending / pranking to be a real officer to where they make the subject think their car is really stollen.

I'm just really suprised that they haven't gotten in trouble about this.

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[–] ny_pitbull 14 years ago

Just goes to show you how fake "reality" shows really are.

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[–] sidnum 14 years ago

That has always bugged the *beep* out of me. Yeah, it's a prank. But if I pranked someone like that, I'd be arrested. And the host is such a douche. If it wasn't for the cool car restorations, I'd absolutely hate the show.

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[–] Alek_Hidell 14 years ago

First, I don't think it's a Federal crime. Local or State probably, but not Federal.

Second, you know that they have the local PD's cooperation since there is a chance that the victim will call the PD on their own, and the police have to play along to make the prank work.

Remember, this is SoCal where the police work hand in hand with the entertainment industry.

------------------
I'm just a patsy!

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[–] LucALot 14 years ago

In California it is a Misdemeanor. (PC 538d)
http://law.onecle.com/california/penal/538d.html

Not a Federal crime...lol. Why do people think everything is a federal crime?

~~~~~~Do or do not. There is no try.~~~~~~

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[–] Fredsdead 14 years ago

They have explained it on the show before. They do get the permission of the local authorities to do it. There have been times that they got turned down when asking permission. These shows are the ones where they "repo" it or use some other ruse.

I cannot be blamed for my actions, I am a victim of sobriety.

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[–] Mad_Monkey 14 years ago

"Not a Federal crime...lol. Why do people think everything is a federal crime? "

Because when people are attention whores, they like to use terms that sound serious like "federal crime" or "class action lawsuit."

They think it gives their lame claim more validity. I'm sure the producers of Overhaulin' have their bases coverered and cooperate with the local authorities. Hey! I just used a cool term to make myself sound smarter! :D

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[–] tellthetruthbuttellitsla 14 years ago

Being inquisitive is completely different from being an attention whore. Poor choice of words buddy.

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[–] zap644 13 years ago

What gets me is that it appears that they might often be committing a crime.

IANAL but if you're not the registered owner of the car how can you arrange for it to be taken (even if only for a week) and modified without their consent.

I'm sure the show has thought of this but you've still deprived the owner of their car for a week. Are they counting on the fact that the owner will be so pleased with their work (after assurances from their loved ones) that they won't press charges?

And how can the police cooperate? If I contact the police and make a report shouldn't they take it seriously? I know, I know you don't get far making reports of theft to the cops.

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[–] booboo-711-314080 14 years ago

Yes it is. I'd for one would be f'ed up mad if they ni$$ered up my car. Sorry to use the word, but that is just what they do to cars.

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[–] kco31 14 years ago

Are you serious? Ni**ered up? This ain't Pimp My Ride. Chip Foose is probably the most well respected designer in the automotive industry. Nothing he does is Ni**ered. Foose is the youngest person to be inducted into the Hot Rod Hall of Fame. Foose was also inducted into the Darryl Starbird Rod & Custom Car Museum Hall of Fame in 2002, the Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame in 2003, and the San Francisco Rod and Custom Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2005 The guy has designed cars for car manufacturers around the world, as well as designing for Hotwheels. He has also won countless awards for the cars he has designed and built. And the awards don't come easily either! He isn't taking his cars to the local car show. He won the Detroit Autorama Ridler Award in 2002, 2003 and 2005. Which one of, if not the highest award you can win in the custom car world. And he did it 3 times in 4 years, with a different car each time.

Just a few other awards
Most Beautiful Roadster Award in 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2006
The Good Guys Street Rod of the Year Award in the years 1990, 1991, 1995, 1997, 1999, and 2001
Diecast Hall of Fame Inductee 2009
Best Hot Rod at Bilsport Performance Show 2010

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[–] tellthetruthbuttellitsla 11 years ago

Foose has an amazing resume but some things they do to those classics, my darkie self can agree they get n!gged a iittle.

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[–] robocop-37224 8 years ago

Yes it is a federal crime. And while on the subject Chris ( douchebag ) Jacobs gives new meaning to "waste of sperm".

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[–] TheDarkKnightMatter 7 years ago

Not when it's a prank set up by their family members. I'm sure there are contracts that where written and signed ahead of time. What makes you think the lawyers haven't thought about that already? You think you're smarter than they are or something?

Don't get hurt kid. I'm not your daddy, I'll beat you senseless.

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