HOUSTON, TX - Just two days after Crime Stopper of Houston joined with the FBI and numerous additional local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in support of the Houston Gang Task Force, StopHoustonGangs.org's recently featured fugitive is in custody thanks to a TIP to Crime Stoppers.

 

On Wednesday, April 24, 2013, Crime Stoppers Executive Director Rania Mankarious took the podium at a joint press conference with the FBI, Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff's Office, Harris County District Attorney's office, the US Attorney's Office and other area law enforcement agencies.  Representatives from the aforementioned agencies joined forces to lend their support to the anti-gang efforts behind the FBI's StopHoustonGangs.org project.  The website, which has been in operation for two years, features wanted gang fugitives and serves as an educational tool for the community at large.  Wednesday's press conference celebrated the ongoing success of StopHoustonGangs.org and announced the marriage between Crime Stoppers of Houston and their program. 

 

As of Wednesday, callers to Crime Stoppers' TIP line 713-222-TIPS were offered up to $5,000 in cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of StopHoustonGangs.org featured fugitives.  At Wednesday's press conference Director Mankarious announced the profile of this week's wanted gang fugitive, Gus Matthew Soto.  Soto was charged with the aggravated robbery of a Montgomery County citizen, and was believed to be hiding in the Houston Area.   

 

On Friday, April 26, 2013, a TIP was received by Crime Stoppers of Houston.  The TIP was forwarded to Deputies with the US Marshal's Gulf Coast Violent Offenders and Fugitive Task Force, who promptly took Soto into custody.  Were it not for the marriage of StopHoustonGangs.org and Crime Stoppers of Houston, Soto may have continued to evade authorities and abscond from justice. 

 

Photos of the arrest are available via the Crime Stoppers YouTube channel via:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4hPMYpC04o&feature=youtu.be

 

Anyone with information about location of StopHoustonGangs.org featured gang fugitives is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Houston at (713) 222-TIPS (8477).  

 

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for any information called in to the 713-222-TIPS (8477) or submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org  that leads to the filing of felony charges or arrest of gang fugitives and offenders in our jurisdiction.  Tips can also be sent by text message. Text TIP610 plus your tip to CRIMES (274637).  All tipsters remain anonymous.