Texas 10 Most Wanted Program is Celebrating 30 Years
Texas Department of Public Safety
AUSTIN (News Release) - The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced that 2022 was the highest number of Most Wanted Offenders captured in a single year since the program’s inception in 1993. DPS in cooperation with federal, local, and Mexican authorities captured a record 72 fugitives and sex offenders; more than doubling the previous record set. In addition to the 72 captures, $88,000 in reward money was paid in anonymous tips that resulted in arrests. The 72 people captured include 34 convicted sex offenders and 24 gang members – the most in program history. The program also set several other new records with the most warrants cleared (220) and the most out-of-state captures (14). This included arrests in Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Mexico.
The Texas Crime Stoppers Office recently recognized Intelligence and Counterterrorism Division Analysts Hannah Robinson and Adam Unnasch, both assigned to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Program, for their role in making the program a huge success. Each was presented with a letter of recognition from Governor Greg Abbott. Working collaboratively with DPS’ Criminal Investigations Division, Robinson and Unnasch provide critical information and analysis to help law enforcement partners around the state and nation capture the fugitives on the Top 10 Most Wanted Lists. These analysts work tirelessly to help law enforcement protect and serve their communities by getting wanted criminals off the streets.
DPS investigators work with local law enforcement agencies to select fugitives for the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives and Sex Offenders lists who pose the most significant threat to public safety in the state. You can find the current lists on the DPS website. Texas Crime Stoppers offers rewards to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest of a Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Fugitives or Sex Offenders. Crime Stoppers programs enable citizens to anonymously report information about crimes for cash rewards, helping put criminals behind bars and assist in crime reduction efforts.
“Public safety is a top priority in the State of Texas, and I am proud of the brave DPS troopers and law enforcement partners who have contributed to this record breaking achievement. Through the Texas 10 Most Wanted Program, our brave men and women of law enforcement have taken some of the most dangerous criminals off the streets and made our communities safer for all Texans. Texas will always be a law-and-order state, and together we are keeping it that way.”, Greg Abbott, Texas Governor
“The success of this program is largely due to the public speaking up and reporting the whereabouts of these criminals to law enforcement. It truly takes the public working with law enforcement to make our communities, and all of us, safer. We want to thank all our law enforcement partners, who helped successfully bring these criminals to justice.", Steven McCraw, Department of Public Safety Director
