‘Fugitive’ game goes awry when real police show up
Staff writer
A game popular with teens became all too real for some Marion teens Thursday when real cops caught a Fugitive hiding under a truck.
Marion police were called Thursday because someone was lying under a truck in the 300 block of E. Santa Fe St.
The teen hiding under a truck in a driveway was playing Fugitives with friends. Interim police chief Zach Hudlin said officers warned him not to trespass on private property while playing the game.
A modern take on hide-and-seek, Fugitives has two teams. Fugitives get a head start before they race around on foot trying to evade a team of “Police.”
Police chase Fugitives to find and tag them before they reach their safe zone destination.
The safe zone could be nearby or as far as miles away.
If Police find Fugitives before they reach the safe zone, Police tag them with a flashlight, call out their name, yell out their position, or touch them.
In some versions, a Fugitive caught before reaching the safe zone becomes a Police informant. That makes the game more difficult for remaining Fugitives.
In some variations, tagged Fugitives could be shuttled to the finish point in a “Police car” or on foot to wait for the game to end.
Fugitives rely on speed, stealth, and physical endurance. Police rely on creativity, attentiveness, and communication.
Sometimes a time limit is set to reach the Fugitive safe zone. If a Fugitive has not reached the designated safe zone, he or she is “busted.”