Silent Witness program will offer faster cash for arrest tips in Arizona
Jan 10, 2018, 3:41 PM
(Public Domain Photo)
(Public Domain Photo)
PHOENIX — People who offer tips to law enforcement that lead to the arrest of a wanted person could be in line for a quick pay day under a new Silent Witness program.
Catch-22 is a partnership between the Phoenix Police Department, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and the Phoenix office of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Twenty-two cases will be featured in the media and on the Silent Witness website over the next 30 days. If your tip leads to an arrest in any of these cases, you could get $500 within 48 hours.
“The moment the handcuffs go on those individuals – and the detective verifies that with us — we want to put this money in the hands of the people who are providing that information very, very quickly,” Phoenix Police Sgt. Jamie Rothschild said at a press conference.
Jose Pedro Moreno Leyva (Silent Witness Photo)
The first Catch-22 case is that of Jose Pedro Moreno Leyva. He was accused of running over a Phoenix police motorcycle officer at McDowell Road and 67th Avenue and leaving the scene on Oct. 21. The officer survived.
MCSO Deputy Chief Fred Aldorasi said Sheriff Paul Penzone has a long history with Silent Witness and was proud to be a part of this.
“We need the citizens of the community to be successful,” he said. “I would encourage everybody to keep their eyes and ears open, and assist us to make our community safer.”
Rothschild said Silent Witness callers, website and/or mobile app users cannot be identified by name. They are given a unique tip number, which they must refer to if they call for tip or case status.
According to the website, Silent Witness had resulted in 7,697 arrests, 12,379 cases cleared and the seizure of more than $14 million in drugs as of Jan. 1.
