CRIME STOPPERS AWARD AVAILABLE

FOR INFORMATION ON RECENT ANTHRAX SCARE

Midland County Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000.00 for information leading to an arrest in a case involving a recent anthrax scare at the Midland Daily News.

The case stems from the Midland Daily News’ receipt of a letter on April 26 stating that a white, powdery substance in the envelope was anthrax. The Daily News was quarantined for nearly four hours while state and local law enforcement and emergency personnel conducted tests of the white substance and decontamination procedures on employees of the Daily News before it was determined that the incident was a hoax.

If the perpetrators of the anthrax hoax are caught, they could be imprisoned and fined for the crime.

Crime Stoppers is a combined effort between local law enforcement, the media and citizens to combat crime. It offers anonymity and cash rewards to persons who furnish information leading to the arrest and filing of criminal charges against felony crime offenders or fugitives and also for the recovery of stolen property.

Crime Stoppers began in the tri county area in 1984. As part of this program, a “Crime of the Week” is selected and dramatized for use in the local media. Reward money of up to $1,000 is given for anonymous tips about the reenacted crime or any other felony crime.

To insure the caller’s anonymity, each call is given an identification number to be used in collecting his/her reward. No rewards are paid until the information has been verified and an arrest has been made. A local Crime Stoppers Board of Directors determines the amount of the reward and makes arrangements for people to receive their rewards while maintaining anonymity.

Tips can be reported by calling 1-800-422-JAIL(5245) 24 hours a day or sending an e-mail message to crimestoppers@midland-mi.org.

In addition to the possible Crime Stoppers award, the U.S. Postal Service is also offering a reward of up to $10,000.00 for information on the anthrax scare. If you have information that could aid law enforcement officials in finding the perpetrator(s) of this crime, please call 313-226-8306. All calls are considered confidential.