Crime Stoppers TIP Brings Down Top Houston Gang Fugitive

HOUSTON, TX – Just two days after Crime Stoppers of Houston joined with the FBI and numerous additional local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in support of the Houston Gang Task Force, StopHoustonGangs.org’s recently featured fugitive is in custody thanks to a TIP to Crime Stoppers.

On Wednesday, April 24, 2013, Crime Stoppers Executive Director Rania Mankarious took the podium at a joint press conference with the FBI, Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Harris County District Attorney’s office, the US Attorney’s Office and other area law enforcement agencies.  Representatives from the aforementioned agencies joined forces to lend their support to the anti-gang efforts behind the FBI’s StopHoustonGangs.org project.  The website, which has been in operation for two years, features wanted gang fugitives and serves as an educational tool for the community at large.  Wednesday’s press conference celebrated the ongoing success of StopHoustonGangs.org and announced the marriage between Crime Stoppers of Houston and their program.

As of Wednesday, callers to Crime Stoppers’ TIP line 713-222-TIPS were offered up to $5,000 in cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of StopHoustonGangs.org featured fugitives.  At Wednesday’s press conference Director Mankarious announced the profile of this week’s wanted gang fugitive, Gus Matthew Soto.  Soto was charged with the aggravated robbery of a Montgomery County citizen, and was believed to be hiding in the Houston Area.  

On Friday, April 26, 2013, a TIP was received by Crime Stoppers of Houston, and Soto was promptly taken into custody.  Were it not for the marriage of StopHoustonGangs.org and Crime Stoppers of Houston, Soto may have continued to evade authorities and abscond from justice. 

Anyone with information about location of StopHoustonGangs.org featured gang fugitives is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Houston at (713) 222-TIPS (8477). 

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for any information called in to the 713-222-TIPS (8477) or submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org  that leads to the filing of felony charges or arrest of gang fugitives and offenders in our jurisdiction.  Tips can also be sent by text message. Text TIP610 plus your tip to CRIMES (274637).  All tipsters remain anonymous.

In Support of Kaufman County Crime Stoppers

Crime Stoppers of Houston stands behind the efforts of our brethren at the Kaufman County District Attorney’s Office and their partners with the Kaufman County Crime Stoppers organization.  While all Crime Stoppers organizations world wide operate independently, faced with a tragedy such as this, we stand united as one. 

In January of 2013, Kaufman County Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse was gunned down outside of the County Courthouse in a violent attack.  At the time of his death, Hasse was assisting in the prosecution of an arm of the Aryan Brotherhood operating in his jurisdiction.  Months later, Hasse’s boss, District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife Cynthia were fatally shot in their home. 

While authorities work to piece together the series of attacks in north Texas, Crime Stoppers of Houston applauds the coalition of crime fighters at work in Kaufman County.  Kaufman County Crime Stoppers, who has partnered with the District Attorney’s Office, the Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, has offered up to $100,000 for information that leads to the arrest and indictment of the responsible parties.  In an act of solidarity, Governor Rick Perry matched the reward amount, bringing the total reward to $200,000 for information leading to an arrest.

At a time when crime knows no boundaries, and the crushing grip of organized criminal activity abounds, Crime Stoppers of Houston stands with its community partners in the battle to solve and prevent crime in our own backyard.  Never is that mission more sacred than when protecting the lives of our public servants and peace officers.  Our commitment to public safety grows stronger in light of these unfortunate circumstances and never waivers in the face of tragedy. 

Crime Stoppers of Houston continues to offer its prayers and condolences to the community impacted by these horrific events, and stands along side its law enforcement partners to see to a swift closure of the ongoing investigation. 

We ask that you keep the fallen in your memories, and encourage your support of the efforts of Kaufman County’s law enforcement community.   

Jumpstart to 2013 – Crime Stoppers VIP Reception

Crime Stoppers kicked off the New Year Monday, hosting a group of VIP guests at its headquarters in Midtown, for a reception and guided building tour.  Guests enjoyed delicious appetizers from  Damian’s Cucina Italiana, and beverages generously provided by Faust Distributing.  

Attendees included Harris County Criminal Court Judges, Houston City Council Member Helena Brown, Mayor Pro-Tem Ed Gonzalez, County Commissioner Jack Cagle, FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Anderson, HPD Chief Charles McClelland, and honored guest Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia. 

Crime Stoppers contributors, friends, and supporters lauded the success of Crime Stoppers, and looked forward to the organization’s future.  The evening highlighted the Capital Campaign to renovate Crime Stoppers’ headquarters at 3001 Main Street.  The headquarters, purchased in 2011, is a 20,000 square foot office space that sits on a full city block..  Once renovated, the building will consolidate Crime Stoppers’ multiple offices and increase productivity for the benefit of community safety.

Crime Stoppers’ Safe School Program was also highlighted. Since 1997, Crime Stoppers has operated in more than 20 school districts to keep kids safe at school. Crime Stoppers looks forward to increasing the impact of this program in 2013, especially in light of recent tragic events in other jurisdictions.

 Crime Stoppers thanked its many supporters from 2012, and recognized many who will be partners in 2013.  To take part in the action, scroll through the photo essay below:

Darrell Whitley and Rocky Mafrige 

Former Council Woman Toni Lawrence and
Houston PoliceChief Charles McClelland 

Board Member Melissa Davis and husband Charles,
The Charles and Melissa Davis Foundation  

 Sheriff Adrian Garcia and Katherine Cabaniss

Harris County Judge Ruben Guerrero and County Commissioner
Jack Cagle 

Ending the Cycle of Abuse

In partnership with Verizon Wireless, a press conference was hosted Monday at Crime Stoppers HQ to celebrate the launch of the annual Domestic Violence Prevention Campaign.   

Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia, Verizon Wireless, and the Verizon Foundation joined Crime Stoppers to prevent Domestic Violence through education and fugitive apprehension. 

“Through the Verizon Foundation, we are very excited to partner with Crime Stoppers in support of the Catch a Culprit Domestic Violence Prevention Campaign with a grant of $15,000,” stated Verizon Wireless Director of Sales Tyrone Rice. “Through the combined efforts of Verizon Wireless and organizations like Crime Stoppers, we hope to diminish domestic violence and help victims regain safety and control over their lives.”

 

Throughout the course of the campaign, Crime Stoppers will feature fugitives at large in Houston, wanted for Domestic Violence-related crimes.  In addition to this apprehension operation, Crime Stoppers will continue to raise public awareness through educational events and appearances. 

Monday’s press conference highlighted the month long campaign details, and included a surprise announcement from the Verizon HopeLine program.  “Verizon’s HopeLine Hero’s Award honors individuals who have made an exceptional commitment to the prevention of Domestic Violence, and compassion toward victims,” lauded Mr. Rice. “Today Verizon Wireless would like to honor Sheriff Garcia with this award.”

After accepting the award on behalf of the dedicated deputies of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Adrian Garcia heeded a warning for all Domestic Violence perpetrators at large in Harris County. 

“This type of behavior, this type of ideology,” Garcia said, “is not tolerated in this society, at least not in Harris County.  We’ll put you in jail; we’ll put you in jail fast.”

Such is the aim of Crime Stoppers’ annual campaign.  Throughout the course of the initiative, Crime Stoppers will continue to engage the public for information regarding the location of Domestic Violence felony offenders.  Anyone with information about Domestic Violence offenders is asked to contact the Crime Stoppers tip line at (713) 222-TIPS (8477).

Beyond the scope of this apprehension program lays the heart of Crime Stoppers’ mission: to prevent crime.  As Crime Stoppers Executive Director Katherine Cabaniss explained, “The most important part of this campaign is preventing these crimes.  Getting the word out to men and women, that Domestic Violence is not going to be tolerated here in our jurisdiction.  We are here to interrupt the cycle of violence. 

“Verizon Wireless knows, and Hopeline knows that one call can save a life.”  

Champions for Change Build a Safer Future

Crime Stoppers and its community partners celebrated the launch of its exciting new campaign, Champions for Change, Thursday at the Omni Houston Hotel.  Champions for Change Provides Houston leaders with the opportunity to make an impact in their community by building a safer future for their families, friends and neighbors.  Champions stand at the forefront of the war on crime by making a personal commitment to Crime Stoppers' mission to solve and prevent serious crime in Houston.  

Thursday's launch and reception was attended by the founding members of Champions for Change; true leaders invested in the safety and well being of our community.  Founding Champions include Mayor Annise Parker, Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia, and former Mayor Bill White.  

Scroll through the photos below to take a look into today's reception attended by the media, law enforcement and the community!  

Mayor Annise Parker addressing the media

Mayor Annise Parker during remarks Thursday

Crime Stoppers board member Ann Travis
chairs the Champion's for Change Campaign 

Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia joins Champions on Thursday 

Ann Travis presents Sheriff Garcia with a
commemorative plate

Mayor Annise Parker receives her engraved
gift from Ann Travis

Sheriff Garcia entertaining follow up with Houston media

Mayor Parker is surrounded by reporters
during the Champions for Change reception

Your founding Champions for Change celebrated at Thursday's
Campaign Launch

 To become a Champion for Change visit: http://crime-stoppers.org/Files/Champions%20For%20Change%20Brochure.pdf

 

WANTED: HARRIS COUNTY CELL STORE CROOKS

Investigators throughout Harris County are searching for the suspects who have terrorized local cellular retailers over the course of the past year.  Armed with the brazen confidence that their masked faces and precision technique will keep them out of jail, hoards of thieves have victimized stores across a 1700 square mile area. 

“We have these thugs in our midst, and we want them in the Harris County Jail.” States Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia.  “We want you to use your phone to drop a dime on these cell phone thieves.”

Sheriff Garcia took the podium during a Crime Stoppers news conference on Wednesday, June 27, 2012, to address the multiple burglaries throughout our region.  Offenders have targeted cell phone stores between the hours of 2:00 and 5:00 am.  Spending only minutes inside the businesses, criminals have displayed little concern for the alarm systems activating. 

Between July 2011 and June 2012, at least eighty one incidents have occurred.  At a rate of one offense every four days, these criminals have caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in loss to the retailers.

Due to the dramatic impact these crime impose, Crime Stoppers has announced an increased reward in the cases.  Up to $15,000 dollars is being offered for information leading to the filing of felony charges or the arrest of the suspects involved. “We are proud to offer this increased reward in partnership with our area retail partners, and our partner Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia,” remarked Crime Stoppers Executive Director Katherine Cabaniss.

In a twist of criminal irony, Garcia hopes that the very cell phones stolen by these suspects will be essential in identifying and arresting them.  Promoting the Harris County Sheriff’s smart phone app “IWATCH Harris County” as a direct link to submitting tips to Crime Stoppers, Sheriff Garcia insisted that twenty first century technology can lead to the suspect’s apprehension.  “Every day, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office is creating new partnerships and innovations to keep us safe,” said Garcia. 

Anyone with information about the identity of any of the suspects is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Houston at (713) 222-TIPS (8477).  Tips can also be sent by text message. Text TIP610 plus your tip to CRIMES (274637).  All tipsters remain anonymous.

2012 Harris County Peace Officer's Memorial Photo Essay

Crime Stoppers of Houston was proud to host the 2012 Harris County Peace Officer's Memorial Ceremony.  The following photo essay chronicles the moving event.

Set up began in the early morning in front of Crime Stoppers HQ

Harris County Honor Guard awaiting inspection

Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia inspects his Honor Guard

Beating of the drums during the Memorial Roll Call

Deputies stand and salute Harris County's Fallen Officers

Sheriff Adrian Garcia and Crime Stoppers Executive Director
Katherine Cabaniss following the evening ceremony

Precinct 6 Deputy Constable presents the  colors