DPS Hits Record Captures

Texas Ten Most Wanted Program Hits Record Number of Captures in 2021

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is pleased to announce that in 2021, it had the highest number of Most Wanted Offenders captured in a single year since the program’s inception in 1993. Last year, in cooperation with state, federal, local, and Mexican authorities,* captured a record 34 fugitives and sex offenders. It breaks the previous record of 32 captures that the DPS set in 2013. Additionally, the DPS paid out $71,500 in rewards in anonymous tips that resulted in arrests.

The 34 people captured in 2021 include 12 gang members and 17 convicted sex offenders and arrested 14 people within just two months, from Oct. 13 through Dec. 13.

“The public plays an integral role in the captures of these offenders, ensuring we have a successful Texas 10 Most Wanted Program and making our communities, and all of us, safer,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “I’m proud of this program and would like to thank all of our law enforcement partners who helped successfully bring these criminals to justice.”

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 — with photos — on the DPS website.

Texas Crime Stoppers, which the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division funds, offers rewards to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest of one of Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Fugitives or Sex Offenders.

For more information on the fugitives captured in 2021 as part of the Texas 10 Most Wanted program, visit the seized fugitive archive.

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.

To be eligible for cash rewards, tipsters MUST provide information to authorities using one of the following three methods:

• Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477).
• Submit a web tip through the DPS website by selecting the fugitive you have information about then clicking on the link under their picture.
• Submit a Facebook tip by clicking the “SUBMIT A TIP” link (under the “About” section).

Regardless of how they are submitted — tipsters will be provided a tip number instead of a name.