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

Safe Child Initiative Delivers Results

Sheriff Adrian Garcia, Katherine Cabaniss
and HCSO Criminal Warrant Teams

April’s focus was on child abuse prevention for Crime Stoppers of Houston.  The Sixth Annual Safe Child Initiative worked to keep Houston’s children safe where they live, learn and play.  Throughout the month, Crime Stoppers engaged in an educational campaign to prevent child abuse in Houston, and apprehend offenders at large throughout the community.  This year, the Safe Child Initiative resulted in the arrest of more fugitives than in all of the previous initiatives combined.

One hundred and sixty one offenders that may have otherwise remained at large were apprehended as a direct result of the combined efforts of Crime Stoppers and local law enforcement.  Their charges ranged from DWI with a Child Passenger to the Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child.  Each of the fugitive offenders was apprehended during the month long warrant sweep conducted by Crime Stoppers’ law enforcement partners in the Houston Police Department, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, and the US Marshal’s Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force.

It was an honor to work our law enforcement officers in this initiative. As a result of their hard work, one hundred and sixty one felons are off the streets, and no longer hiding in our neighborhoods.

Eight hundred and forty seven fugitives were featured through Crime Stoppers media programs and on the Crime Stoppers website www.crime-stoppers.org.  Ten percent of the fugitives selected as the Crime Stoppers “Feature Fugitives” released to local media were arrested based off of tips called into Crime Stoppers.

One such fugitive was Howard Huffman.  Huffman was charged with the Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child under 14 after assaulting a female child while she slept.  His whereabouts remained unknown to authorities with an active warrant for his arrest.

On April 11, 2012, Huffman’s profile was released to the local media as a Crime Stoppers “Feature Fugitive.”  The very next day, a tip was received by Crime Stoppers placing Huffman in Phoenix, Arizona.  Deputies with the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force coordinated with US Marshals in Arizona, and apprehended Huffman on April 25, 2012.  Four additional out of state arrests were made during the course of the initiative.

At the May 4^th celebratory press conference, hosted at Crime Stoppers Headquarters, Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia commended the dedication of the teams responsible for these arrests.  “I’d like to applaud these crime fighters; these hunters of criminals.” Garcia went on to highlight the significance April’s Safe Child Initiative carries.  “Our children are our most precious resource,” said Garcia, “we will continue to put every resource toward keeping them safe.”

While the 2012 Safe Child Initiative has come to a close, Houston citizens are reminded that child predators and felony fugitives remain at large in our community.   Crime Stoppers reminds Houstonians to stay vigilant against crime throughout the year.  With that sentiment in mind, Houston Mayor Pro-Tem Ed Gonzalez cautioned citizens, “Just remember, child abuse continues year round… Keeping our children safe is something that we should always do.”

Programs such as the Annual Safe Child Initiative are at the core of Crime Stoppers’ mission to prevent serious crime in Harris County.  Continued efforts throughout the year will target other forms of serious crime, in an effort to keep Houstonians safe.     

FEATURED FUGITIVES - OFF THE STREETS

Crime Stoppers of Houston’s Safe Child Initiative launched on Monday April 2, 2012.  During the launch, Crime Stoppers ignited its campaign with the highlight of a felony fugitive, and a pledge to continue highlighting child abuse fugitives throughout the remainder of the month.

Rick Garcia was amongst a group of fugitives highlighted at the kick-off press conference on Monday April 2.  Garcia was charged with the Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child under 14.  After viewing the media coverage of Monday’s press conference, and the scrutiny placed on his whereabouts, Garcia surrendered to law enforcement the very next day.  As of April 3, 2012 at 9:00 am, Garcia was in the custody of the Harris County Jail.

The first daily featured fugitive was Rafaela Medina, who was charged with the Abandonment of her Child with the Intent to Return.  This fugitive offender was highlighted by Crime Stoppers through a general media release on April 3, 2012.  Less than 48 hours after she was featured by the media, Medina was apprehended by law enforcement.  Medina was taken into custody based on information provided in a Crime Stoppers tip! An anonymous tipster to Crime Stoppers provided the location of Medina to law enforcement.  Medina is currently in the custody of the Harris County Jail.

Crime Stoppers’ 2012 Safe Child initiative will feature multiple fugitives through releases to the media, and hundreds more on the Crime Stoppers website www.crime-stoppers.org.  Please visit the Crime Stoppers website to see the 847 fugitives that are currently featured there and help to continue to bring in fugitives in our community.    

Giving Children a Safe Tomorrow

Sheriff Adrian Garcia, Council Member
Ed Gonzalez, Katherine Cabaniss,
Andy Kahan, Lee Vela

April 2, 2012– Crime Stoppers of Houston hosted a press conference at their midtown headquarters to announce the launch of the 2012 Safe Child Initiative.  This is the sixth consecutive campaign to keep Houston’s children safe since the inaugural initiative in 2007.

Executive Director Katherine Cabaniss introduced April’s initiative as “a one of a kind campaign to keep our children safe where they live, learn and play.” By educating citizens on child abuse prevention, and targeting fugitives charged with child abuse related crimes, Crime Stoppers aims to reduce incidents of child abuse throughout Harris County. “This is the most important initiative we will conduct all year, because it strives to keep our children safe.”

Cabaniss was joined by Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia and Houston City Council Member Ed Gonzalez.  Taking aim at perpetrators, Sheriff Garcia warned offenders that deputies are on the ready to apprehend fugitives at large.  “We’re gonna smash your door down.  We’re gonna grab you out of bed.  We’re gonna put you in jail.  We don’t need predators out in the community.”

Echoing Garcia’s sentiments, Council Member Gonzalez appealed to Houston’s citizens to break the cycle of abuse, and reduce incidents in Houston.  “This initiative is intended to bring to light the realities of these crimes.  It’s intended to teach citizens the signs of abuse, and prevent future incidents.”

In addition to providing educational materials to community members, Crime Stoppers will target more than 1,600 felony fugitives in Harris County. Council Member Gonzalez urged Houston citizens to be vigilant, and on the look out for offenders living in their neighborhoods. “They could be your family and neighbors,” stated Gonzalez.

The Safe Child Initiative will culminate with a screening of the film “Family Affair” at Studio Movie Grill on April 25, 2012.  This Safety Seminar will provide citizens an additional opportunity to learn about the impact of child abuse, and interact with a panel of topic experts.

Crime Stoppers’ 2012 Safe Child initiative will feature multiple fugitives through releases to the media and on the Crime Stoppers website www.crime-stoppers.org. Anyone with information about the location of these fugitives is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Houston at (713) 222-TIPS (8477). 

Join Crime Stoppers this April to keep our kids safe!      

Crime Stoppers HQ Nominated for Landmark Award

Crime Stoppers is paving the way for a new era of impact in Houston.  The recent purchase of 3001 Main is transformational for the midtown area and the safety of our community.

For this reason, the Crime Stoppers Headquarters Building has been nominated for a Houston Business Journal’s 2012 Landmark Award.  A finalist in the “Community Impact” category, the former bank is among several worthy Houston landmarks that serve the citizens of Harris County.

The HBJ Landmark awards celebrate the “functionality and beauty of various buildings and developments in the Houston area.” Previous winners of the Community Impact Award include the Jack Blanton Center at Yellowstone Academy, and the New Hope Housing Center at Brays Crossing. 

Crime Stoppers of Houston is engaged in a capital campaign to fund the purchase and the renovation of 3001 Main.  Once complete, 3001 Main will be transformed into a state-of-the-art headquarters.  A law enforcement strategy and call center, advanced media center, and 20,000 square feet of offices will create a hub for crime prevention now and in the future.

Crime Stoppers is honored to be nominated for a 2012 Houston Business Journal Landmark Award. At 3001 Main, Crime Stoppers will continue to serve its mission and ensure a safe future for the city and citizens of Houston.  

Crime Stoppers was pleased to host our closest friends and supporters on Wednesday for a special screening of the film “Not My Life” at Studio Movie Grill in City Centre.  “Not My Life” probed the dark, hidden and often unspeakable realities of Human Trafficking and modern day slavery.  

As the lights dimmed guests ordered their favorite snacks to enjoy while taking in the provocative film “Not My Life.” The film told the stories of Human Trafficking victims from around the world.  Whether forced into labor camps or sold into the international sex trade, the individuals’ stories in the film compelled the audience and she light on the harsh realities of Human Trafficking.  

Following the screening of the film guests had an opportunity to participate in a panel discussion with Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia, Maria Trujillo of Houston’s Rescue and Restore and Crime Stoppers Executive Director Katherine Cabaniss.  A comprehensive dialogue ensued, educating our guests on the state of Human Trafficking in Harris County, and what citizens can do to help stem the tide of Trafficking.

“The United States today is on the same list as Guatemala, Cambodia, and countries like Russia when it comes to Human Trafficking.” Noted Sheriff Garcia, “It’s why the Harris County Sheriff’s Office is making a turn to recognize prostitution as a victim rather than just a sex act.”

“Many people ask themselves, ‘How can I as one person help?’” Asked Maria Trujillo of Houston’s Rescue and Restore. “Tell your friends,” she answered, “Now you know the truth about Human Trafficking, spread the word and watch for those red flags.”

In response to the power and impact of the film, Sheriff Garcia implored the audience, “Don’t let this paralyze you.  Share it and communicate its message.  The experience should be transcended on all levels.”

With many thanks to the people at Studio Movie Grill the evening concluded and the audience left better informed on the state of Human Trafficking in Harris County. 

“We are proud to partner with Studio Movie Grill in this unique and innovative Speaker Series,” Stated Katherine Cabaniss. “Tonight was the first of six events throughout the year.  It embodies Crime Stoppers’ mission to prevent serious crime in Harris County through education and partnership with the citizens of our community.  The Speaker Series is yet another way that Crime Stoppers is working with our corporate partners, law enforcement, and citizens to ensure a safer Houston.”

Thank you to those who attended.  All are citizens dedicated to living safe in Houston.