"Crime Stoppers" Helps Solve Vandalism Case

The vandals who did more than $100,000 worth of damage at the Community Center construction site more than a year ago have been brought to justice thanks to a call through "Crime Stoppers."

Two teenagers, a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old, were found to be responsible in Juvenile Court hearings and fined $500 each.

"We're pleased that the responsible parties have been brought to justice, and that Crime Stoppers played such an important role," Police Chief Glen Allen said.

The damage at the construction site was done mostly with a bulldozer that the youth managed to start. Some tools were taken, and damage was also done to a light pole and fence belonging to the Johnston County School System.

A call through the newly-organized Crime Stoppers program helped police crack the case. The caller was given a cash reward.

The program, which gives residents a new way to help fight crime, offers a special phone line where residents can anonymously leave information about crimes—and get a cash reward for doing it. The program has worked well in other towns over the years.

"It's good to provide a way for people to provide information to the police without having to come to court or even identify themselves," Chief Allen said. "We have no way to identify callers on that line, so it's completely confidential."

The special Tip Line number is 919-359-TIPZ (8479). Police follow-up on all information received on the line. If the information leads to an arrest, cash rewards of up to $2,500 are available. Added to the various Neighborhood Watch programs around town, the new program is helping police solve more crimes.

The program has helped catch nearly a half million felony suspects and solve nearly a million crimes in this country since its start in 1976—and many more across the world. The program's anonymous tips have helped police recover more than $4 billion in stolen property and illegal drugs.