Issuing the warrant

Catching up to a crook is not enough on its own. Before the chase pays off, the player must file a warrant — in the geographic games, through an Interpol database — naming the suspect by the traits gathered from witnesses.

The player enters the known characteristics — hair colour, hobby, favourite food, vehicle, distinguishing feature — and the database returns the matching member of V.I.L.E. If enough correct traits are entered, exactly one name comes back, and the warrant is issued against that crook.

Why the warrant matters

The rule that gives the mechanic its teeth: an arrest only sticks if the warrant matches the crook you actually catch. Arrive at the final city with a warrant naming the wrong suspect — or no warrant at all — and the crook walks, even though you found them. This forces the player to treat the trait clues as seriously as the travel clues, and to make sure the paperwork is right before the chase ends.