TOLEDO, OH (WTOL) – Two weeks after its start, a new crime tip system in use by the US Marshals in Toledo and Cleveland has already helped authorities make an arrest.
A text message tip led marshals to Cameron Stewart in Toledo.
Stewart is currently in custody at the Lucas County jail, on charges of drug trafficking in Arizona. He was at large for a year before there were any leads in the case.
On Tuesday, a text message tip led marshals a north Toledo neighborhood and a home on East Hudson, where they found Stewart hiding in a bathroom.
"I received a text message. We had him in custody within five minutes. He'd been on the run for one year." Rod Hartzell, a Deputy US Marshal, told WTOL's Matt Wright.
The US Marshals Northern Ohio is the first branch in the country to use the new text tip system that led to the arrest.
Using the system is simple. Just write a text message about the tip, and send it to TIP411. That's 847 411. Enter the keyword "Wanted", followed by whatever your message is and send. You can also go online and submit a tip.
"This is gonna be fantastic for us. It's non personable. You don't have to talk to me. Just send me the message tell me what I want to know" Hartzell explained.
While the system is anonymous, those who choose to be named can collect cash rewards.
The system has collected more tips than expected so far, and the marshals rely on public help.
"Any tip is a good tip, when you're looking for someone who's done a homicide, who's been on the run for a long time, I need that info. There might be a gap in this puzzle that I don't have, and that might be the piece of the puzzle I need." said Hertzell.
Those with tips can still call the toll-free tip line at 1-866-4-WANTED, use the text option, or go to USMarshals.gov.
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