News

THOUGHTS ON DON WOLF
May 25, 2008
Recently, Don Wolf, a former Crime Stoppers board member, passed away. Generous donations given in his name have arrived at our office these past few weeks. Don was one of those guys who always championed the underdog and who led by example. He was always the first to roll up his sleeves and work the problem until everyone else joined in. His impact on Dad’s Club Baseball and Softball in Moline is legendary.  As I open these envelopes and read the special messages, I see the impact one man had on so many. Don’s wife Diane and the Crime Stoppers Board have decided to sponsor a number of the 100 bicycles we give to children 12 and under at our 5k race. It is only fitting that children continue to benefit from a man many of us will miss dearly. “…If the Army and the Navy ever look on Heaven's scenes, they will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines”. Semper Fi Mr. Wolf.

THOUGHTS ON MAGGIE WEBB
December 9, 2007
You never really think it will happen to you or the ones you love. That is until it does. The unthinkable happens and you are left to deal with the pieces left by a haze of unbelief. Omaha is closer now than it has ever been to Moline. All the good represented by Maggie Webb over her 24 years can not be erased by one lost soul. Her smile was bright, her mind sharp. Maggie was a great girl you just wanted around. Maggie and her friends worked hard as members of the Moline High School Scholastic Crime Stoppers Club. Everything Maggie was involved in, and she was involved at the high school, was made better because she was there. We mourn her loss and pray for the family. The outrage seethes under the badge while we wait for society to say enough is enough. I for one wonder just how much pain we are willing to accept until we finally get it.

JANUARY IS CRIME STOPPERS MONTH
January 10,2007
January is Crime Stoppers month world wide. Here in the Quad Cities 2007 marks our twenty-fifth year of partnership between the community, the media, and area law enforcement.  Because of your tips locally we have cleared over 2,547 cases and caused the arrest of over 2,353 felons. Your private donations and support along with the work done by our volunteer Board of Directors makes this success possible.  If you would like to be a part of our efforts or just wish to learn more about what you can do to help make the Quad Cities a safer place, check out our award winning website www.qccrimestoppers.com 

Runners World Magazine recognizes Crime Stoppers 5k
July 7, 2006
Well, we were pleasantly surprised when the August edition of Runners World magazine featured our Crime Stoppers 5k, page 116 for those so inclined. Race director Dawn Brooks was very happy as was the rest of the Board of Directors. This year’s race will be Saturday August 5th in the John Deere Commons with the start and finish in front of the River House Courtyard. Last year we gave away 50 bicycles to registered runners 12 and under.  This year the Board will give away 100 Bicycles! Trust me when I tell you these Crime Stoppers Board members are working overtime. They recently entered into a partnership with the Putnam IMAX and will have 100 tickets to Superman Returns 3-D for runners. The Rock Island Country Market post-race party will be the best yet, and Famous Dave’s legendary pit bar-b-que is back by popular demand with their pulled pork sandwiches. We still have Accu-Split “The Chip” timing and ALL the best sponsors and volunteers: Miller Container, The Rock Island States Attorneys Office, Tyson Foods, Rock Island Country Market, Putnam IMAX, Famous Dave’s, State Farm Insurance agent Kerry Stoudt, and of course our media partners including the Dispatch/Argus. You can still sponsor a bike by calling the race line at 309-797-0449. Download a race registration and learn more about the race (click here) or pick-up a race registration form at The Dispatch, area YMCAs, or at the Moline Police Department.

BE A SMART CONSUMER!
February 8, 2006
You may not have known it but February 5-11 was National Consumer Protection Week! The Quad City Securities Group, whose members consist of representatives from area financial institutions and Law Enforcement, ask that you take a few minutes to take a fun and informative quiz. You can find the link to the consumer quiz by clicking here.  The on-going lottery rip-offs, check scams, and work at home “business opportunities” are never going to go away. We sound like a broken record but if it seems too good to be true…it is!  U.S. citizens do not win foreign lotteries; you can’t lose ten pounds a week by taking a pill, and if a Nigerian prince asks you to send him money please don’t! Sometimes it is greed, or the belief that you can get something for nothing.  Or with our elderly who are often preyed upon, it is fear or pride that traps them. Whatever the case, we encourage you to take the quiz.   Your local financial institution can help you with questions regarding these scams as well.  

DOG FIGHTING A GROWING PROBLEM IN THE QC
December 15, 2005
A recent increase in dog fighting reports here in the Quad Cities has Crime Stoppers asking for your help in finding those responsible. This felony crime in both Iowa and Illinois is cruel not only for the dogs involved but for the children that may be exposed to the mistreatment of the animals. On top of that, generations of selective breeding for maximum aggressiveness, combined with sadistic training methods make these dogs capable of inflicting horrendous wounds or killing whatever they choose to attack. We encourage anyone that may have knowledge of a scheduled fight, the names of so-called “trainers” of these animals, or address where these dogs are kept to call the Crime Stoppers tip line. Police and area Humane Societies are serious about stopping this type of activity. If your information leads to an arrest you could receive up to $1000 cash from us, and if your information leads to a dog fighting conviction, we will help you claim up to $2,500 from the Humane Society of the United States.  Click here for further information.



POLICE AND FAMILY OF GEORGE LISTER NEED YOUR HELP NOW
November 10, 2005
The body of Missing Person George Lister was found and foul play is still suspected, though the cause of death is undetermined.  Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000 to anyone with information that can help police arrest Mr. Lister's killer. Rock Island County Sheriff’s Department Investigators and East Moline Police are requesting you contact us if you have any information.  The tip line is 309-762-9500. You will remain anonymous and if your information solves this murder, you could collect up to $1,000 cash.

TRUE STORY
April 25, 2005
On April 25th, 2005 at approx. 11:45 AM Moline patrol Officer Cunningham issued a 19-year-old female a ticket for not wearing her seat belt. During the polite discourse of issuing the ticket, the female inquired as to why Officer Cunningham was not spending more time arresting real criminals instead of writing No Seat Belt tickets. Officer Cunningham explained to her that more people are killed from not wearing seatbelts than by criminals. They parted friends. Ten minutes later in another part of the city the same young lady was stopped by Officer Hoegner. Unfortunately, she was not wearing her seatbelt. Officer Hoegner explained to the young lady why she should choose to wear safety belts and then issued her citation number two for not wearing her seat belt. Later that day around 3:30 PM, second shift officer Heyvaert stopped the same young lady, which resulted in her third seat belt citation within four hours. At 6:19 PM, Officer Stahl issued the young lady her fourth citation of the day. She was cited for Failure to Reduce speed to Avoid an Accident after striking the rear of another car. This story does have a happy ending as our female driver was finally wearing her seatbelt at the time of the accident!       



NEW EVIDENCE SURFACES IN ELWESS HOMICIDES
November 15, 2004
East Moline Police and Crime Stoppers still need your help with information concerning the murders of Edward and Doris Elwess. They were shot in their home at 456 15th Avenue, East Moline, sometime after 7:00  Friday evening the first of November. The couple was found in the home around 10:00 AM Saturday morning. .Ballistics testing on the two guns found near the Elwess' residence last April prove the guns were used in the killings of Ed and Doris.  Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading the those responsible for these murders. The family is offering an additional $5,000 reward. The Crime Stoppers tip line is 309-762-9500.



JUSTICE FOR JONE
November 15, 2004
Recently, family and friends of Jone Knapton held a fundraiser at Leisure Time Billiards in East Moline where they raised $34,000. This amount combined with $5,000 from the Carole Sund / Carrington Memorial Reward Foundation and $1,000 from Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities brings the total amount to $40,000. This is by far the largest reward that Crime Stoppers has ever been a part of. The $40,000 itself speaks volumes to the hard work and love that Jone's family and friends put into the event at Leisure Time. Law enforcement now needs the phone call that will give investigators from the Jone Knapton task the lead they need. If you have that piece of the puzzle and are reading this article, we ask that you search your soul, then do the right thing and call the Crime Stoppers tip line 309-762-9500. $40,000, no questions asked, just closure for the family and justice for Jone.



ROBBERY SUSPECTS NABBED
September 22, 2004
Arrests have been made in several of the recent Robberies that occurred in Rock Island and Moline September 18 through 20, 2004. The Shell Express Lane, 702 19th Avenue, Moline; the Kwik Shop, 2400 7th Avenue, Rock Island; and the Git-N-Go, 1104 Avenue of the Cities, East Moline all reported robberies where a subject reached over the counter into an open cash register and grabbed money before running from the stores.  Arrested was Leon C. Walker, age 32, of Moline.  He was charged with one count of Robbery and one count of Burglary.  Also arrested was Hilary Vest, age 32, of Moline.  She was also charged with one count of Robbery and one count of Burglary.  Police want to thank the community for the numerous phone calls to Crime Stoppers after still photographs and video were shown on local television stations.  Those calls to Crime Stoppers helped lead investigators to Mr. Walker and Ms. Vest.



YOUR HELP IS NEEDED IMMEDIATELY!
July 14, 2003 Updated October 16, 2003, June 11, 2004
The Jone Knapton Homicide Task Force needs your help solving this homicide.  On July 6, 2003, the family of Jone Knapton of East Moline, reported her missing.  Jone’s family had not seen her since July 4th 2003, and her vehicles were still at her residence.   The torso of a body was spotted in the Green River outside Geneseo IL on Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2003.  Henry County authorities later found another part of the body nearby.  An autopsy has confirmed that the body was that of a white female, and DNA results indicate the body is that of Jone Knapton.  If you have information about this homicide, call Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities at 309-762-9500.  Remember, calls to Crime Stoppers are always anonymous.  And your information could earn you a cash reward of $1,000.

CHIEF ETHERIDGE PRESENTS 2003 WEB-SITE AWARD
April 6, 2004

Red Door Productions and Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities received second place in the 2003 Best Website Award during Crime Stoppers International Training Conference which was held in Melbourne, Australia October 6 - 10th, 2003. On April 6, 2004, Moline Police Chief Steve Etheridge presented the award to the Crime Stoppers Board in front of the Moline City Council.  Board Members pictured from left to right are: Kerry Stoudt (Vice President), Todd Malcolm, John Zelnio (President), Dawn Cook (Administrative Assistant), Ronna Baney, and Debbie Raes (Treasurer).


     
CRIME STOPPERS OF THE QC WEBSITE RECOGNIZED BY
CRIME STOPPERS INTERNATIONAL
October 28, 2003
Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities' website is now an award-winning website!  Red Door Productions and Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities received second place in the 2003 Best Website Award during Crime Stoppers International Training Conference which was held in Melbourne, Australia October 6 - 10th, 2003. CSI Region 5 Representative Kevin Viney of Wisconsin accepted the award on our behalf.  Crime Stoppers International consists of more than 1,000 local programs in 15 countries.  There were 28 entries in the website category this year.  Websites were judged based on visual appeal, speed of loading, quality of message, up-to-date content, links to other sites, interactive content, and explanation of the Crime Stoppers concept.  Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities would like to thank Chad Nelson of Red Door Productions for his valuable help in hosting, creating, and maintaining this site!   



Media Release - Announcing School Safety Program
October 24, 2002
Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities and the Moline/Coal Valley School District #40 have entered into a new partnership.  The “School Safety Program” is designed to provide a way for students, school staff and parents to provide information anonymously regarding school crime utilizing Crime Stoppers’ twenty-four hour tip line.

Channel 4 Eyewitness News produced a video explaining Crime Stoppers’ anonymous tip line along with Moline Fire Marshal Larry Lister instructing educators on how to spot students at risk for becoming a juvenile fire starter.

Student Crime Stoppers clubs at Moline High School, John Deere and Wilson Middle Schools have purchased 12 x 18 posters and 30 x 30 signs that will now be displayed in all elementary, middle and high schools.

The goal of the program is to educate everyone involved in the schools that information can be provided anonymously, and by doing so they can help create a safer school.

Click Here for more information regarding the School Safety Program.



Help for Crime Victims
A new Illinois law requires law enforcement to inform crime victims of the Crime Victims Compensation Act. (740 ILCS 45/5.1) When a person becomes a victim of violent crime, he or she may be entitled to financial compensation under the Act. This Act provides up to $27,000 in compensation to innocent victims and their families for expenses incurred as the result of a violent crime. A victim's eligibility is determined by specific requirements, such as notification of law enforcement officials within 72 hours, cooperation in both the apprehension and prosecution of the offender and lack of any contributory misconduct on the behalf of the victim. Far too often the victims of crime are pushed to the side. This new legislation will assist those affected by crime as well as the victims themselves in obtaining some compensation. Crime Stoppers tips that lead to arrests often begin the healing process for victims. This state law allowing the victim to reach some financial compensation is a positive step and one we wholeheartedly support. The month of January was one of our busiest ever. The warm weather must have flushed the bad guys out of hiding! We are on our way to making this, our 20th year, the most successful yet!

Crime Stoppers Features Fugitives at Southpark Mall
In cooperation with the Community Policing efforts of the Moline Police Officers assigned to South Park Mall, Crime Stoppers will display a ten most wanted photo lineup outside the Mall C.O.P. office. Criminals featured in the top ten will address concerns of the mall officers such as felons wanted for credit card fraud, felony shoplifting, and paper crimes. We hope that Mall employees and customers take the time to check out the wanted posters and notify us at Crime Stoppers if they know the whereabouts of these fugitives. As in all calls to Crime Stoppers you will remain anonymous and if your information leads to an arrest you will receive a cash reward.

Crime may be down but we still have plenty of people that break the law and then run from the consequences. If you find yourself near the C.O.P. office at South Park Mall have a peek at our newest most wanted. You just might recognize someone and with one phone call make some quick and easy money!

President Bush Supports Crime Stoppers Month
I am pleased to send warm greetings to all those celebrating January 2002 as National Crime Stoppers Month.

[Signed George W Bush]

The President Endorses Crime Stoppers
In his address to the nation on November 8, 2001, regarding the War on Terrorism, President George W. Bush encouraged the citizens of the United States to become involved in their neighborhoods and communities. He said:

To find out how you can help, call Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities at (309) 762-9500.