SWFL Crime Stoppers hopes to solve more cases by increasing rewards

Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers announced Friday it has tripled the maximum reward it can provide for information leading to an arrest.

In an effort to encourage more anonymous tips on unsolved cases and wanted fugitives, Crime Stoppers has increased its reward from up to $1,000 to a cap of up to $3,000.

Tipsters could receive the maximum amount if information leads to an arrest in violent crimes, such as a homicide case.

“While we hope that tipsters are providing information because it’s just the right thing to do, we understand that money is a motivating factor,” Crime Stoppers Coordinator Trish Routte said.

“I think it’s a good idea since we do have a rise in that situation. We need a little bit more incentive for those that do know something about some of the crimes,” added Fort Myers resident Andrea Ross.

It could help with unsolved cases like the murder of a store clerk, Muhammad Ali, in 2011.

“All they had to do was say give me the money and he would’ve happily handed over anything that was in the store, but instead they chose to take him life,” Routte said.

It’s just one of many cases that continue to haunt the community.

And more recently, the Club Blu shooting that left two teenagers murdered.

“Whether you were friends with Stefan or Sean, you need to step up and do the right thing. If it’s for the money, great. If it’s for just justice, that’s fine too,” Routte said.

Crime Stoppers says any little information you may have can be the missing link to potentially solving these cases.