DENVER - You've probably heard us use the phrase, "Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information leading to an arrest.”
But ever wonder if it actually works?
This month, Crime Stoppers paid out $11,000 in reward money, the highest amount in one month this year.
And while police need help with names and locations of people they’re looking for, it seems suspects sometimes aren’t making it super difficult to find them.
“I'm glad they're making our job so easy,” said Michael Mills, President of the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers Board. “With video and with cameras, if you're going to commit a crime, chances are, it's being recorded.”
Crime Stoppers always puts out an alert with pictures of the suspects after a crime takes place.
In recent months, the suspects were caught on camera with distinctive neck, arm and face tattoos, things that would make them stand out in a crowd.
“My favorites have always been the ones with the face tattoos,” Mills said.
One of the suspects in the Cherry Creek Nordstrom shoplifting incident that was recently solved, had a visible neck tattoo.
“If they said a girl with a tattoo on her neck and short hair, that might be several people, but when you have a photo and a clear photo, it's really easy,” Mills said.
Someone got paid for helping solve this one and 18 more just in the last month.
What helps witnesses and investigators are suspects who go back to the scene of the crime wearing the same clothes.
“I don't have the criminal mind,” Mills said. “If I did and I committed a crime wearing something very distinguishable, that would be the last time I wore that outfit.”
The opportunities to earn more money never stop because people will always make interesting life choices and cameras will often capture those.
A case from earlier this week shows two men attempting to break into a house in the 2300 block of South Franklin Street. If you have any information that could help police, you could get a cash reward.
Anonymous tips can be given to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.
