Sheriff's PIO appointed to Crime Stoppers

(Updated: Thursday, March 11, 2010, 12:50 PM)

Valley Crime Stoppers has appointed Madera County Sheriff's Department Public Information Officer Erica Stuart as a new board member.

"We believe the move to appoint a Madera County Sheriff's representative to our board will give Crime Stoppers greater awareness in Madera County," said Crime Stoppers board president Dale Mendoza.

Sheriff John Anderson added that the move serves to "further strengthen our relationship with citizens and the business community throughout Madera County."

"When a suspect can't be identified, that's when Crime Stoppers steps in, and many times plays a pivotal role in our investigation, " Anderson said.

Crime Stoppers works, he added, because apart from a monetary incentive, anyone who phones in a tip remains anonymous.

Detective Brad Stevens, Crime Stoppers Coordinator, often repeats the Crime Stoppers credo, "We don't want your name. We don't need your name. All we want and need is your information."

It is for that reason alone two shocking crimes were solved in Madera County.

The first case involved a home invasion during which a Madera dad was beaten nearly to death and his son injected with methamphetamine. The family was held hostage for 24 hours. Despite a number of leads sheriff's detectives followed, the suspect could not be found.

Not more than a month later, Crime Stoppers called the Madera County Sheriff's Department with a tip.

"The man you are looking for, Patrick Joseph Booth, is hiding out in a motel in Reno. Crime Stoppers provided the name of the motel and the Sheriff's Department telephoned Reno police.

Two hours later Reno police called Anderson, saying, "We have your guy."

The second case involved the shooting death of a teenager inside a dairy barn in Chowchilla. Despite video surveillance that captured the entire scene on tape, no one was talking. Two months later Crime Stoppers called, and within a few weeks after receiving that tip, two men were taken into custody and charged with the murder of an 18-year-old boy.

Anderson said while Madera County celebrated the fact that justice prevailed in both cases, he credits those two anonymous callers.

"We will never know who they are or why they found the courage to make that call. But we do know the families who suffered greatly are relieved they did."

Knowing you will remain anonymous and that Crimes Stoppers offers a monetary reward for making that call is the underlying motivation, said Anderson.

To learn more about Crime Stoppers and how you can get involved log onto: www.valleycrimestoppers.org. Details: Brad Stevens, (559) 621-2350, brad@valleycrimestoppers.org.

-- Submitted