Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers Gives Out Rewards

CANTON — Callers who provided anonymous tips that led to the arrests of six individuals in Van Zandt County in the last two months have been given rewards totaling $2,225 by the Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers. The rewards were approved at the monthly Crime Stoppers meeting. Officials say rewards ranged from $700 for a serious drug-related arrest to $75 for a misdemeanor warrant. The $700 reward was for a tip that resulted in the arrest of a man and woman in Myrtle Springs. The couple was charged with possession of a controlled substance as well as child endangerment, related to exposing their four children to their alleged activities.

There were two $500 tip rewards, one for the arrest of a Grand Saline man who had outstanding assault and drug possession warrants, and the other for an Edgewood man wanted by Henderson County for drug possession and sale, who was also allegedly found with a firearm in violation of his parole. The other rewards were given for tips that led to the arrest of a Grand Saline man allegedly on military desertion charges, a Myrtle Springs man on a drug possession warrant, and a Wills Point woman on a traffic charge warrant.

“This surge in tips, arrests, and rewards is good news,” said Andy Flowers, president of Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers. “It shows that people are calling our anonymous tip line and that these calls are leading to arrests that are taking criminals out of circulation. That’s why Crime Stoppers exists, and why we are happy to give out generous rewards to the anonymous tipsters.”

Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers always offers cash rewards for anonymous tips that lead to the arrest of a criminal offender, someone who has just committed a crime, or someone who is wanted on a warrant. By calling Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers 903-567-STOP (567-7867), people can anonymously provide information about a crime, whether it is about a recently committed crime or to report the whereabouts of someone wanted on an existing warrant. Each tip is given a special code number. After the crime is solved or the individual is arrested, Crime Stoppers determines the reward amount and provides arrangements for the tipster to anonymous collect a cash reward. Crime Stoppers callers never have to give their names or any identifying information.

Rewards of up to $1,000 are financed by criminal court fines and donations. More information about Crime Stoppers is available online at http://www.vanzandtcrimestoppers.org or by calling the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office.