The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Texas 10 Most Wanted Program set new records in 2012 in total apprehensions, gang member apprehensions, sex offender apprehensions and total rewards paid by the Texas Crime Stoppers Program.

So far this year, DPS and other agencies have arrested 30 Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives and Sex Offenders, including 20 gang members, and $93,000 in rewards have been paid for tips that resulted in arrests. Two of this year’s captured fugitives were extradited from Mexico.

“This program is a proactive and aggressive effort between state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies to protect our communities by working together and with the public to get dangerous criminals and sex offender fugitives off the streets and back behind bars,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “The Texas 10 Most Wanted Program has become a great success during the past three years thanks to the dedication of our law enforcement partners and the vigilance of the people in our communities.”

The program was revamped in 2010 and a Top 10 Sex Offender list was added. In 2010 alone, there were more arrests and awards paid than in the three prior years combined.

Texas Crime Stoppers, which is funded by the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division, offers cash rewards to any person who provides information that leads to the arrest of one of the Texas 10 Most Wanted fugitives or sex offenders. DPS investigators work with local law enforcement agencies to select fugitives on the Texas 10 Most Wanted list. You can find the current list with photos on the DPS website at http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/wanted/.

Anyone with information can provide anonymous tips in four different ways:
• Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477).
• Text the letters DPS—followed by your tip—to 274637 (CRIMES) from your cell phone.
• Submit a web tip through the DPS website by selecting the fugitive you have information about, and then clicking on the link under their picture.
• Submit a Facebook tip at http://www.facebook.com/texas10mostwanted by clicking the “SUBMIT A TIP” link (under the “About” section).

All calls, texts, e-mails and Facebook messages are anonymous.

Do not attempt to apprehend these fugitives; they are considered armed and dangerous.