Cross Their Palms With Silver

Friday, Sept. 15, 2006 - 3:50 a.m.

This crossesd the wires yesterday:

It was like something out of one of his reality shows.

Hawaii based bounty hunter Duane Dog Chapman was arrested at his Portlock home around six this morning.

Federal marshalls carrying a warrant from the Mexican government made the arrest.

Three years ago, Duane Dog Chapman, his son Leland and his brother Timothy, were thrown in a mexican jail, for tracking down and capturing convicted rapist, and Max Factor cosmetic heir Andrew Luster. Bounty hunting is illegal in Mexico.

They were released on what they thought was a misdemeanor.

This morning , federal marshalls took Chapman into federal custody on a felony warrant...and simultaneoulsy arrested Leland and Timothy....step one in a possible extradition to Mexico to face charges.

It took everyone off guard...his wife Beth, her physical trainer.

"And I am dismayed and upset they would use our tax dollars to bring this man down for something that's been three and a half years," says Carrie Christman, personal trainer.

"Duane captured somebody wanted around the world and he's considered a hero," says Mona Wood, publicist.

With production cameras from his weekly reality show rolling...the drama moved from Portlock to federal court this afternoon.

Their cameras were met with scores of others, capturing Beth Chapman's defiant walk into court. Federal judge Barry Kurren ordered the Dog, Timothy and Leland held in the federal security facility until Friday afternoon's bail and extradition hearing.

"Duane apparently violated or its claimed violated a mexican law that prohibits capture of fugitives by persons not authorized by Mexican law," says Brook Hart, Chapman's attorney.

"But usually they're extraditing serious criminals, not somebody who assisted in arresting a serious criminal. So it's an unusual case."

"And if Duane has to return to Mexico to take care of any misunderstandings, then that's what we will do," says Dog's wife, "and we appreciate all of the love and support and the many many e-mails and phone calls and good wishes that all of you have given us in this time of need," says Beth Chapman.

The judge is leaning toward granting bail until the extradition proceedings are resolved. He noted the time that has passed since Dog's Mexico adventure....the Chapmans have strong ties, and with three television shows a week, compelling reasons for not making a run for it.

Now. Let me tell you something about Mexico. My Uncle Joe lived there and was a landowner there for a number of years.

He discovered something about Mexico that is still true today, and that is: As far as government officials there go, if you throw enough money at any problems generated or enforced by those officials -- those problems tend to go away.

It doesn't surprise me in the least that the Mexican government suddenly finds Dog Chapman and his family a very tempting target in that department due to them being extremely visible celebrities now. A nice plump poult to scald and pluck. Especially since they took away their previous source of I-saw-nothing income, Andrew Luster.

I think it's going to finally be resolved, though.

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Saw something that Michael Jordan said, and I'm reposting it here:

I've failed more than I've succeeded, but I've tried more than I've quit.

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Okay, that's it. I might add the Friday Five if it's posted in a timely fashion. Take care.

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