Valley Crime Stoppers - Annual Report

COMMEMORATING

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ARRESTS

ANNUAL REPORT

CRIME STOPPERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Dale Mendoza Vice-President Dave Knott Secretary Paul Bauer Treasurer Ken Groom Member-at-Large Sterling Swartout

Board Members James Arendt Bruce Batti Shawn Betts Tamara Bogosian Shelly Crawford James Gentry Jeff Gledhill Jerry Gragnani Debbie Hunsaker Scott Jones Gina Massenzi Harry Massucco Beth McCracken Gary Quisenberry Debbie Rompal Matt Rosenfeld Jerry Steward Erica Stuart Randy Tosi

Representatives Program Administrator, Valley Crime Stoppers Debbie Bristol Fresno Police Department Det. Brad Stevens Fresno County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Robert Kandarian Fresno County Sheriff’s Department CSO Milton Vann California Highway Patrol Lt. Craig Kunzler

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Since its inception in 1993, Crime Stoppers has proven to be a valuable tool for local law enforcement. In the past 19 years alone, Crime Stoppers has been responsible for more than 10,000 arrests, $107 million in narcotics seized, $1 million in property recovered, and more than $1 million in rewards.

Crime Stoppers has solved burglaries, robberies, shootings, and homicides, and has brought down stolen auto theft rings and chop shops. We’ve taken over 500 guns off the streets, attacked fraud, graffiti and vandalism, and helped to curb arson and child and elder abuse. Of course, none of this would have been possible if it wasn’t for our media partners and corporate sponsors – for they are the foundation upon which Crime Stoppers is built.

In 2011, Crime Stoppers bridged the gap with our next generation of tipsters. Through a partnership with the students at CART High School, we developed a smart phone app enabling students to anonymously notify Crime Stoppers without ever actually dialing our number. We started a media campaign that was kicked off by school rallies at several Fresno Unified High Schools. Each school saw several hundred students take part and with the help of Y-101, the rallies were a huge success.

As we move further into 2012, we have several media projects in the works – all designed to help law enforcement win the war on crime. We are grateful to you, our sponsors, who believe in us and our mission to help law enforcement make a difference.

Thank you for your generous support and God bless!

Dale Mendoza

President, Valley Crime Stoppers

Detective Brad Stevens

Fresno Police Department Coordinator, Valley Crime Stoppers

CSO Milton Vann The Man Behind the Scene!!

Milton Vann has worked for the Sheriff’s Department for the last 13 years, working a variety of assignments within the Community Service Officer classification. Currently, Milton is assigned to the Valley Crime Stoppers program as the Assistant to the Coordinator.

Milton enjoys his assignment, and though it’s hard to keep up with technology, his performance over the last seven years has confirmed that he has what it takes to excel in his position.

The many deadlines and commitments inherent to Crime Stoppers can be very stressful, as getting information on wanted subjects out to the media is always a challenge. Data must be prepared and photos must be retrieved before the print deadline. Milton depends on other busy detectives to provide necessary information and he has to confirm and validate everything before it is printed in the various papers. Additionally, Milton fields a lot of complaints from people, angry about Crime Stoppers printing photos of their family members – but by and large, the angry calls are offset by compliments. Milton finds the number of people calling Valley Crime Stoppers to express their gratitude heartwarming. In fact, there are numerous

instances of people calling in to thank Crime Stoppers for helping to arrest their own kids, thankful that “they can now receive the help they need.”

Milton believes that the Valley Crime Stoppers program serves our Valley well, for he has witnessed this first-hand through the hundreds of arrests made possible by the program.

He is also very proud of the program’s accomplishments over the last few years including, Text Tipping, Web Tipping, and now, Post Cards.

Milton keeps very busy while away from work too. His 82-year-old father, who is the Pastor of a local church, “bought a 14-passenger van for the church, but he can’t drive it,” so of course, we all know what Milton does most weekends.

CSO Milton Vann is truly an asset to Valley Crime Stoppers and to this community.

He is dependable (he’s used only one sick day in 13 years), he is punctual, and he has earned the respect of everyone at the Sheriff’s Office and Valley Crime Stoppers – his coworkers couldn’t be more proud.

2011 YEAR IN REVIEW Mobile Website PROBLEM: People aren’t always near a computer when they want to check the Crimestoppers website or submit a tip.

ACTION: Crime Stoppers created a mobile site so that iPhone and Android users could access much of the same information you can get on a computer, including a link to submit a crime tip, urgent crime alerts, wanted persons, and more.

RESULT: Crime Stoppers became more accessible to the thousands of Valley residents who want to do their part in ridding their neighborhoods of crime.

Website PROBLEM: The old Crime Stoppers website was archaic and confusing to many visitors, resulting in fewer visitors ACTION: Crime Stoppers completely revamped the site, implementing a new and more intuitive design, and added regular urgent crime alerts, local wanted persons ads, and streamlined tip submission links.

RESULT: The Crime Stoppers website is now easy to navigate and visitors are using it as a resource in the fight against criminals and Valley crime.

Facebook/Twitter PROBLEM: Crime Stoppers lacked a presence on the two most popular social networking sites, Facebook and Twitter.

ACTION: Crime Stoppers created Facebook and Twitter accounts and began posting urgent crime alerts and other noteworthy news items.

RESULT: Crime Stoppers now has a presence on Twitter account and the Facebook account has been “liked” by several hundred Valley residents who now get instant alerts posted to their Facebook timelines.

High School Outreach PROBLEM: Adolescents and high school students weren’t asked to do as much as they were capable of doing.

ACTION: Crime Stoppers organized high school rallies to introduce mobile smart phone applications and anti-bullying campaigns, and instructed students on the proper ways to submit 1 crime tips.

2 3 RESULT: High school students around 4 the Valley felt more engaged in Crime Stoppers efforts and were empowered to take action when they saw criminal and improper activities at school.

STAND

P2 U cri me Stoppers mobile Putting the Crime is the first step site on your phone s safe. in keeping our school ycrimestop pers.org Go to www.valle code into your or scan this QR smartphon e Add the Crime Stoppers to your home screen

webpage

to report Luanch the icon any crime or suspicious activity you see

at a place Enjoy going to school safe your friends feel where you and

WITHOUT GO TO SCHOOL

Activity Dealers • Gang ns Bullyin g • Drug Violenc e • Weapo Vandal ism •

www.valleycrimestoppers.org

Children Exposed to Domestic Violence PROBLEM: Children who are exposed to domestic violence in the home are deeply affected with males more likely to repeat the violent behavior and females more likely to accept the violent behavior when they get older.

Action: Crime Stoppers continued the multimedia campaign to increase awareness of the problem.

Result: Awareness of the problem increased throughout the region and 12 suspects REPORT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE who were wanted for domestic 498-STOP violence were arrested.

KIDS ARE VICTIMS TOO

Arson Fraud PROBLEM: The WILL GET BURNED incidents of people PLAY WITH FIRE AND YOU Report vehicular arson burning their own and claim your cash reward!

Call 498-STOP vehicles in order to collect insurance money was at an all-time high.

ACTION: Crime Stoppers continued a multimedia campaign focusing on insurance fraud and vehicle arson.

RESULT: The campaign helped reduce the number of vehicles being burned. In addition, 14 auto theft tips were generated, several chop shops where reported, and 4 arrests were made.

Your call is always anonymous and you will not have to testify

CASH REWARD – UP TO $1,000

valleycrimestoppers.org

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2011 TOTALS Narcotics Parole Violations Auto Theft Fraud Burglary Weapons Violations Possession of Stolen Prop ADW Robbery Grand Theft Spousal Abuse Prostitution Homicide Hit & Run Felony Vandalism Felony DUI

137 111 93 72 61 49 38 34 30 30 27 10 8 5 5 4

35 Homicides Filmed & Aired 5 Hit & Runs Filmed & Aired 3 Robberies Filmed & Aired 2 Burglaries Filmed & Aired 2 Home Invasion Robberies Filmed & Aired

2 Grand Thefts Filmed & Aired 2 Arson Filmed & Aired

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Wanted Persons 526 Narcotics 334 Auto Theft 115 Parole Violation 107 Robbery 82 Fraud 74 Burglary 65 Homicide 50 Assault with a Deadly Weapon 47 Spousal Abuse 41 Hit & Run 31 Weapon Violations 28 Possession of Stolen Property 16 Graffiti & Felony Vandalism 13 Grand Theft 11 Arson 7 Felony DUI 6 Elder Abuse 3 Child Abuse/Rape 3 Theft of Farm Equipment 3

Nickel Classifieds KSEE24 Fresno Bee CS Schools Vida En El Valle CS Web Tips Kerman News Reedley Exponit Peak Broadcasting Selma Enterprise Madera Tribune Clovis Round Up Auberry Times Fresno Fair Madera Fair

133 113 97 67 64 58 44 41 39 30 22 11 2 2 1

2500 2189

2241

2014

2000

2121 1931

1874

1851

1926 1683

1728

1729

1490

1453

1500

1713

500 1000

450

0

331

353

1995

348

1997

1999

2001

2003

2005

2007

2009

2011

1000 804

800 693

834

851

813 743

717

726

712

722

703

570

600 486

400 288

200

126

138

118

54

$74,000

2011 $80,000

$74,000

$75,215

$88,120

2009

$26,456

$25,850

$24,475

$15,900

40000 20000

2007

$43,156

60000

2005

$72,000

80000

$77,000

$67,290

100000

2003

$75,550

2001

$98,015

1999

$86,645

1997

$83,400

1995

$81,700

0

0 1995

1997

1999

2001

2003

2005

2007

2009

2011

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DIAMOND SPONSOR - $50,000 Table Mountain Casino

RUBY SPONSOR - $5,000 Dave Christian Construction

SAPPHIRE SPONSOR - $2,500 Custom Ag Formulators Donaghy Sales, LLC Rio Farms

GOLD SPONSORS Agri Valley Irrigation All Valley Environmental Bank of the West Banks & Co. Borba Farms Bruno’s Iron & Metal Bulldog Towing Campos Brothers Farms Central Cal Transportation Central California Electronics Central Valley Community Bank Central Valley Reporters Cerutti & Sons Transportation Commercial Radiator Works David Knott, Inc. Diamond Paving DiBuduo & DeFendis Insurance Brokers Don Gragnani Farms Dresick Farms Inc. East Bay Tire Company Educational Employees Credit Union Errotabere Ranches Evapco West, Inc. Fresno Commercial Lenders Fresno County Farm Bureau Fresno Deputy Sheriff’s Association Fresno Equipment Company G & H Diesel Service General Crane Service Inc Harris Ranch Feeding Company Howard Dynasty Foundation, Inc. HR Livestock Transportation Inc.

IBA Civil Engineering & Land Surveying Ito Packing Company Jack’s Carwash Company Jones Cleaning Centers Kasco Fab, Inc. Koll-Pallesi Kroeker, Inc. Lamanuzzi & Pantaleo Linda Vista Farms Madera Auto Center Maricopa Orchards, LLC OPC Farms Inc PAPE Trucks/CCKW Phil & Joyce Larson Producer’s Dairy Foods, Inc. Quali-T-ruck Service, Inc. Robert V. Jensen, Inc. Sanger Rotary Shaw’s Structures Unlimiited, Inc. Sierra West Warehouse Snowden Enterprises, Inc. Talon’s Landscape Development, Inc. Terranova Ranch Inc Terry C. Tuell Concrete ThomCo Insurance Associates, Inc. United Valley Insurance Services Valley Security & Alarm Valley Unique Electric Weakley & Arendt, LLP West Coast Waste Woolf Farming and Processing

IN-KIND Alert-O-Lite Dumont Printing Fresno Police Officers Association Jack Frost, Inc. Light & Sound Solutions NVB Equipment

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Pardini’s Catering & Banquets Perfect Blend Cigars Sam’s Party Rental The Landmark Restaurant Three Olives Vodka Yosemite Linen

Media Partners Our Crime Stoppers media partners are an essential component in the success of our program. As a group, our media partners donate nearly a million dollars in media time, publications, and production services. Crime Stoppers could not function without this critically important exposure in the communities we serve.

Across the nation, Valley Crime Stoppers is recognized as a preeminent program with unparalleled success in helping to put our Valley’s most wanted felons behind bars. That success is only possible through the unselfish contributions of our media partners. We would like to take this time to highlight what some of our media partners do for us - and our community throughout the year.

KSEE ran weekly re-enactments of unsolved crimes; featured “Most Wanted Persons” and an “Arrest of the Day” every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during both their 6PM and 11PM newscasts; and made sure all information was on their website. In addition, KSEE produced all of our promotional videos and were very accommodating in getting big stories on the air – all of which was instrumental in helping to lockup countless wanted criminals.

Peak ran weekly re-enactments on their many stations and placed an abundance of helpful information on their website. In addition, both KMJ and MEGA featured Crime Stoppers “Most Wanted” every Tuesday – and Y101 sponsored school rallies, encouraging kids to provide tips on their smart phones.

The Fresno Bee ran a monthly halfpage ad featuring Crime Stoppers “Most Wanted Persons” and featured three most wanted persons every day. In addition, The Fresno Bee was careful to promote the use of Crime Stoppers when giving tips on a crime.

JSA provides production and media strategy services for Crime Stoppers. Assisting with the production of newspaper ads, print collateral, television and radio commercials, JSA helps serve as a conduit to all of the other media partners. In addition, JSA has helped in acquiring Federal and State public outreach grants and then facilitates the execution of the each grant.

Nickel Classifieds ran a weekly full page ad featuring 40 of Crime Stoppers “Most Wanted Persons”. Nickel Classifieds readers have provided a steady stream of tips, enabling Crime Stoppers to put innumerable wanted persons behind bars.

We all owe a great deal of gratitude to each and every media partner, because our success is only possible through their efforts. We are indeed fortunate that our valley has leaders in the media that care enough to make everyone’s safety a priority.

So from the Crime Stoppers Board of Directors, we would like to say a big THANK YOU!

Time to

Saturday, June 2nd Fig Garden Golf Club PRESENTED BY

FOR INFORMATION CALL (559) 621-2350 Valley Crime Stoppers would like to acknowledge the generosity and support of

Table Mountain Casino

For over 10 years, Table Mountain has been the title sponsor of June Jam, and the financial success of this event would not be possible without them.

Thank You!

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James Whitaker Bank Robbery

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ARREST

Emanuel Thomas Bank Robbery

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ARREST

James Whitaker was photographed on surveillance cameras, robbing the Bank of America at Jensen & Cedar. The surveillance photos were aired on KSEE 24 and a subsequent tip identified Whitaker as the suspect. Fresno PD arrested Whitaker for bank robbery. He is currently in the Fresno County Jail awaiting trial.

On May 5th, Thomas walked into the Citibank at First and Bullard, producing a hand gun and demanding money from the clerk before fleeing on foot. Crime Stoppers received a tip soon after enabling detectives to track down and arrest Thomas in Sacramento.

He is currently in Fresno County Jail awaiting trial.

Michael Myers was wanted for robbery at the Bank of the West on Shaw Ave at Fashion Fair. His photo was shown on KSEE 24. A tipster saw Myers in the area of Blackstone and Sierra, leading officers to Myers’ location, where he was arrested for bank robbery

Michael Myers Bank Robbery

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ARREST

Ashlie Platt Fraud & Identity Theft

Wanted for fraud and identity theft, Ashley Platt was featured in the Nickel Classifieds. A tip to Crime Stoppers let detectives know that she was hiding in a room at the University Hotel. Fresno Police responded and arrested Platt, finding her in possession of credit cards, checks, identification of more than 50 victims.

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Ricardo Covarrubia carjacked, kidnapped, and robbed a victim in Kerman. A Crime Stoppers tip gave information on how to find Covarrubia, which led to his arrest by Fresno Sheriff Detectives.

Ricardo Covarrubia Robbery, Kidnapping & Carjacking

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ARREST

Curtis Travis Home Invasion Robbery.

Hit & Run Resulting in Death

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ARREST

Curtis Travis Home Invasion Robbery.

Hit & Run Resulting in Death

Curtis Travis and Steven Stowers broke into a man’s apartment and robbed him. They then stole the victims truck and fled the scene, crashing into a motorist and killing the driver. Both Travis and Stowers fled on foot, but a Crime Stoppers tip provided the names of both suspects, helping detectives solve the case and arrest both suspects.

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ARREST

Antoinette Marshall Operating Chop Shop and Marijuana Growery

Jeremiah Gutierrez Operating Chop Shop and Marijuana Growery

Antoinette Marshall and Jeremiah Gutierrez were running a chop-shop and an indoor marijuana growing operation. A tip to Crime Stoppers enabled the Auto Theft Task Force to arrest both suspects, recovering a stripped stolen Honda and confiscating 25 full grown plants and growing equipment in the process.

498-STOP (7867) www.valleycrimestoppers.org