VZ Crime Stoppers Authorizes $1,850 in Rewards

CANTON — Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers has authorized $1,850 in rewards for tips that led to arrests in three cases. Those included two major crimes –- a burglary spree in northwestern Van Zandt County and an arson case involving a house burning north of Edgewood. A $1,000 reward was approved for an anonymous tipster whose call led to the arrest of Michael Schwankner, pictured here, of West Tawakoni, who had been sought by authorities in connection with a series of burglaries in the Edgewood and Lake Tawakoni areas. Crime Stoppers had publicly announced the award on September 5, and the tip resulted in his arrest on September 10.

Crime Stoppers also approved a $650 reward for a tip that led authorities to a Hunt County residence, where they arrested two suspects wanted in connection with a July house fire on Van Zandt County Road 3705. Both those suspects are Wills Point residents. In addition, a $200 reward was approved for a tip that resulted in the arrest by Wills Point police of a Quinlan man wanted on a drug possession warrant. That warrant was from Hunt County, and police turned the suspect over to authorities there.

“Once again, Crime Stoppers is proving invaluable in helping put some serious crime suspects behind bars,” said Andy Flowers, president of Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers. “The burglary suspect was wanted not only for those crimes, but for numerous warrants from three counties, so we felt the maximum $1,000 reward was justified there.” Flowers added that Crime Stoppers has authorized more than $5,000 in rewards just this summer, related to tips connected with crimes such as a double murder, sexual assault, and burglaries. The Crime Stoppers number is 903-567-STOP (567-7867). More information about Crime