CrimeStoppers tipster leads authorities to the hide-out of kidnapper and rapist |
A frightened Frayser woman untied herself and called for police help last August, after more than 24 hours living through a terrible ordeal in her own home.
She told officers her ex-boyfriend came to her house, bound her ankles and wrists with ropes and shoestrings and kept her captive, demanding money for her release. During the time she was held, she said, she was kicked, beaten, robbed and sexually assaulted.
The man then stole her Dodge Avenger and fled the scene. An arrest warrant was issued for suspect Allan Garrett but his whereabouts were unknown.
On January 25 of this year CrimeStoppers received a tip in the case. Garrtett could be found in an apartment on Peabody Avenue in Midtown, the tipster said.
A team consisting of the Shelby County Sheriff’s fugitive squad and U.S. Marshals office went directly to the location and took Garrett into custody.
Garrett, who already had a history of theft, aggravated burglary and domestic assault, was charged with aggravated kidnapping, rape, theft of property, extortion and coercion of a witness. Bond was set at $40,000.
Paid to the citizen who helped make the arrest: $900.
|
Citizen tips are helping police solve a mounting number of violent crimes |
Sixteen tips were approved for cash awards in February by the CrimeStoppers awards committee. The group considering cases is made up of volunteer citizens from various walks of life in the community.
Half of the cases this time involved crimes of violence. The percentage of felony cases with tips from citizens leading to arrests has been growing.
One case was a shooting and robbery at Poplar Avenue and I-240 in November, 2020. In that incident, police found 76 spent shell casings of various calibers. A victim was shot and taken to Regional One hospital in critical condition
but survived.
In late December a tip in that case led to the arrest of Dontavious McCollins for attempted first degree murder, especially aggravated robbery and use of a firearm to commit a felony. Other shooters have not been identified.
Another incident, from 2019, garnered headlines at the time when a shooting at Wolf Chase Galleria sent shoppers scurrying. Two suspects were identified by a tipster and arrested in that case: Jadakiss Johnson and Corey Chambers.
Off-duty Memphis firefighter Terrence Taylor was shot and killed February 12, 2021. Police responded and located a suspect’s vehicle but he fled on foot. A citizen later called police about a man hiding behind a residence. Cedric Richardson was arrested and charged with murder and other felonies.
|
Donations of any size are welcome. Checks made out to CrimeStoppers may be sent to our offices at 600 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 451, Memphis, 38105, or visit our website to make a secure donation now.
|
|
CrimeStoppers
relies on donations
|
Already this year, CrimeStoppers tipsters have been awarded more than $15,000 in cash for their help in solving felony crimes, including some of the most violent.
The awards are paid thanks to charitable gifts from individuals and
businesses. Donations, which are tax-deductible, keep CrimeStoppers going.
|
CrimeStoppers
by the numbers
|
In February, 17 arrests were made and 17 cases cleared, thanks to 16 citizen tips to CrimeStoppers.
Those successful tips led to clearing one homicide case in the month. That
meant already this year five murders have been solved with the help of people who contact us with information we pass on to police.
A total of $8,500 was approved in payments to tipsters in February. Tips led to the recovery of $2,500 in stolen property.
|
500 march in 2nd Unity Walk vs. Gun Violence
A second march calling for an end to gun violence in Memphis and Shelby County drew more than 500 people to Whitehaven on Saturday, February 27.
The Unity Walk took marchers one and a half miles through the nearby neighborhood.
The statistics alone last year show the need for the community to work toward a reduction in violent crime. A record total of 332 homicides occurred. And more than 1,300 gunshot victims were treated at Regional One.
The first Unity Walk occurred last November in the medical district. Other marches are planned in the future to urge citizens to do what they can by adopting the walk's pledge to help CrimeStoppers and law enforcement agencies, to respect others, and to know where children and teens are at all times.
Call CrimeStoppers. Call Police. Stop the gun violence.
|
To review all the tips data for the year, visit this page on our main website:
|
Cold cases site helps
detectives
A new website provides information on numerous cold-case homicides.
A Cold Case is an unsolved felony crime awaiting the discovery of new evidence. It is a case that was suspended after the initial investigation for lack of leads but remains an open file.
It is a case that sometimes may require a new set of investigative eyes, and the aid of the public.
It is CrimeStoppers’ strong belief that in every crime someone knows something — it could be a seemingly small detail — that could be enough to lead to a solution — and justice for the victim and the victim’s family.
CrimeStoppers here offers a series of Cold Case files for public consideration. To provide a tip call or test CrimeStoppers: 528-CASH (2274).
|
Websites continue
to build awareness
|
CrimeStoppers and its many programs are explained - and the public is engaged - in various places on the internet
The newest site in our stable puts new light on cold cases. Take a look at -
Our main website explains the organization's purpose, and keeps count on major cases in which police need help from citizens -
A companion site helps students keep their schools safer - trustpays.org
Senior citizens who are afraid or otherwise need help can find information they can use at another site - seniorbsafe.org
Because the theft of copper and other metals has become a major problem in the metro area we launched CopperStoppers -
Now the public can view the list of current fugitives, including photos on our newest site -
|
|
