Wetip

San Bernardino County homicide detectives are looking for leads in the disappearance of a man who they now believe was killed in his Lytle Creek home in March as a result of his ties to the Vagos motorcycle gang, officials said. Relatives of John Edward Rintalan, 54, reported on March 13 that he was missing. Investigators found a significant amount of blood in his home, and though his vehicle and motorcycle were still there, officials have not been able to find Rintalan.

San Bernardino County homicide detectives are looking for leads in the disappearance of a man who they now believe was killed in his Lytle Creek home in March as a result of his ties to the Vagos motorcycle gang, officials said. Relatives of John Edward Rintalan, 54, reported on March 13 that he was missing. Investigators found a significant amount of blood in his home, and though his vehicle and motorcycle were still there, officials have not been able to find Rintalan.

County Supervisor Mike Antonovich came up with a new way Thursday to attack graffiti--and become better known to voters in his redrawn district in the process. Beginning next week, 500 signs will be posted in Antonovich's 5th District offering rewards up to $1,000 for anonymous tips leading to the arrest and conviction of graffiti scrawlers. The signs reads, "Reward! If you see or know of someone defacing our city with graffiti, turn 'em in."

Bill Brownell, founder of WeTip, a national hotline that helped pioneer toll-free crime-fighting, has died. He was 71. He died of complications related to emphysema on May 13 at his home in Rancho Cucamonga, said his wife, Miriam. Brownell, a retired deputy, and his wife created WeTip in 1972 after hearing their teenagers talk about how easy it was for their friends to buy drugs.

State agriculture officials took a new swat at the Mediterranean fruit fly Thursday by offering a $10,000 reward to anyone who helps catch fruit smugglers responsible for infestations of the insect. Officials urged informants to anonymously call a toll-free telephone hot line if they know of anyone who has received uninspected fruit from such places as Hawaii, southern Mexico, and Central and South America.

Felony drug charges have been filed against an Oxnard man who was captured as a result of the state's WeTip Hotline, authorities said. Raul Raymundo Acosta, who is also known as Cubano, was arrested after an anonymous tip to the hotline alerted authorities that he was reportedly dealing cocaine, the Ventura County Sheriff's Department said. Acosta was allegedly found in possession of one-fourth of a kilogram of cocaine, which authorities said was worth $6,600.

Hoping to encourage residents to help reduce crime, the Police Department has joined WeTip Hotline, a national organization that offers rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of criminals. Under the program, which will focus on gangs, drugs and auto theft, police will distribute brochures and flyers to residents urging them to call the hot line to talk to police anonymously if they witness a crime or have information.

Bill Brownell, founder of WeTip, a national hotline that helped pioneer toll-free crime-fighting, has died. He was 71. He died of complications related to emphysema on May 13 at his home in Rancho Cucamonga, said his wife, Miriam. Brownell, a retired deputy, and his wife created WeTip in 1972 after hearing their teenagers talk about how easy it was for their friends to buy drugs.

Stanton's relatively new participation in WeTip, a program designed to help catch criminals, makes the city one of only five in Orange County taking advantage of the program. WeTip offers rewards for tips leading to convictions. Information: (800) 78-CRIME.

Gardena has been named the 1986 WeTIP Model City for Southern California. The WeTIP program is a national service that operates a toll-free number (1-800-78-CRIME) for anonymous tips on crimes. City Manager Ken Landau that said the city has been active in promoting the program through local schools, community service organizations and local businesses.

Felony drug charges have been filed against an Oxnard man who was captured as a result of the state's WeTip Hotline, authorities said. Raul Raymundo Acosta, who is also known as Cubano, was arrested after an anonymous tip to the hotline alerted authorities that he was reportedly dealing cocaine, the Ventura County Sheriff's Department said. Acosta was allegedly found in possession of one-fourth of a kilogram of cocaine, which authorities said was worth $6,600.

Hoping to encourage residents to help reduce crime, the Police Department has joined WeTip Hotline, a national organization that offers rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of criminals. Under the program, which will focus on gangs, drugs and auto theft, police will distribute brochures and flyers to residents urging them to call the hot line to talk to police anonymously if they witness a crime or have information.

County Supervisor Mike Antonovich came up with a new way Thursday to attack graffiti--and become better known to voters in his redrawn district in the process. Beginning next week, 500 signs will be posted in Antonovich's 5th District offering rewards up to $1,000 for anonymous tips leading to the arrest and conviction of graffiti scrawlers. The signs reads, "Reward! If you see or know of someone defacing our city with graffiti, turn 'em in."

State agriculture officials took a new swat at the Mediterranean fruit fly Thursday by offering a $10,000 reward to anyone who helps catch fruit smugglers responsible for infestations of the insect. Officials urged informants to anonymously call a toll-free telephone hot line if they know of anyone who has received uninspected fruit from such places as Hawaii, southern Mexico, and Central and South America.

City Council members on Tuesday unanimously voted to join WeTip, a private nonprofit reward agency, to help muster funds to find the killer of Bernard "B.J." Garcia Lopez Jr., 18, who was fatally shot two years ago. The city has agreed to pay WeTip a $1,600 membership fee and contribute an additional $8,000 to the fund, matching the Lopez family contribution. Last month, the victim's mother, Juanita Lopez, pleaded with city officials to help increase the reward money.

Conejo Valley residents will soon see fliers offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the conviction of vandals who slashed tires, wrecked gas pumps and otherwise damaged a school district maintenance yard. Trustees for the Conejo Valley Unified School District on Thursday agreed to post the cash reward to step up efforts to catch the vandals, who caused $14,000 in damage to the yard during a Feb. 24 spree.