Modesto Area Crime Stoppers on a Roll

MODESTO, CA--The Modesto Area Crime Stoppers program is approaching its three year anniversary next month and, according to Modesto Police Community Service Officer Carla Castro, there is a lot to celebrate.

“When you see all that has happened in the last three years it really is amazing,” said Castro the director of the Crime Stoppers program in our area.  “Crime Stoppers is a reflection of our community’s commitment to getting criminals off the street.  When you see the accomplishments over the last there years, you are really seeing what our communities are capable of.”

The Modesto Area Crime Stoppers program began in June 2005 with the goal of capturing 100 suspects by June 2008.  On May 7, 2008, that goal was realized with the arrest of 33-year-old Benny Maines who was wanted on warrants for auto theft and domestic violence.  A Crime Stoppers tipster called and said Maines was in a neighborhood in Turlock.  The Stanislaus County Auto Theft Task Force responded with the Turlock Police Department and located Maines coming out of a house.  Maines was arrested without incident.  “The arrest itself wasn’t big or unusual, but to the Crime Stoppers Program it marked a milestone,” said Castro.

Maines’ arrest marked a run of recent success for the program.  On April 22, 2008, two suspects profiled in the Modesto Bee Crime Stoppers section were arrested.  Miguel Avina, 25-year-old, was wanted on a $100,000 robbery warrant.  He was located in a house on Mt. Everest Court in Modesto.  Andre Trevell Leggett, 28-years-old, was arrested at in a room at the Motel 6 on W. Orangeburg Avenue in Modesto.  He was wanted for assault with a deadly weapon and shooting at an inhabited dwelling.  Neither suspect was connected to the other.  Both arrests were the result of annonymous tips to the Crime Stoppers hotline.

In addition to receiving tips for wanted suspects, the Modesto Area Crime Stoppers board has elected to provide rewards to callers who provide information about armed gang members.  “There have been numerous gang related shootings throughout our communities and we are hoping that citizens will take advantage of this tool,” Castro said.  “There are people out there who have information about gangs but are afraid to speak out.  The Crime Stoppers system is completely anonymous and has proven to be an effective way for citizens to report crime information.”

Over the last three years, the Modesto Area Crime Stoppers program has approved nearly $13,000 in reward money to tipsters and has captured suspects as far away as Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and Georgia.  Law enforcement agencies participating in the Modesto Area Crime Stoppers program include the Modesto Police Department, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department which includes Riverbank Police, Waterford Police, Patterson Police and Hughson Police, the Newman Police Department, Turlock Police, Ceres Police, Oakdale Police and the California Department of Corrections Parole office in Modesto.  Also, beginning May 27, 2008, the Salida office of the California Highway Patrol will begin participating in the Modesto Area Crime Stoppers program.  “The participation among law enforcement agencies in our area has been tremendous,” said Castro.  “This really is a community wide effort.  That’s what has made this program such a success.”

Several local media sources regularly profile suspects wanted through the Crime Stoppers program.  The Modesto Bee, the Oakdale Leader, the Ceres Courier and the Spanish news publication Vida En El Valle all participate.  “Without the commitment from these organizations we would not be successful,” said Castro.  “They are the ones who are putting the faces of these suspects in front of the public.”

For more information about the Crime Stoppers program or to view suspects wanted in our area visit the Modesto Area Crime Stoppers website at www.modestopolice.com/CrimeStoppers.  To leave a tip, call (209) 521-4636.