Las Cruces Crime Stoppers increases reward in church explosion cases

Las Cruces Crime Stoppers has increased its reward for information that leads to an arrest in the Aug. 2 explosions at two churches.

The reward Las Cruces Crime Stoppers is offering now stands at $15,000, but that amount is good only through Sept. 18, 2015. Las Cruces Crime Stoppers say they set the deadline to preserve the integrity of the investigation, and prevent any tips or leads from going cold.

“The amount of resources our local law enforcement is putting into this investigation is staggering,” said Jake Miles, chairperson for Las Cruces Crime Stoppers. “We fully support them in their search for tips and leads. That’s what the mission of Crime Stoppers is dedicated to.”

“The amount of resources our local law enforcement is putting into this investigation is staggering,” said Jake Miles, chairperson for Las Cruces Crime Stoppers. “We fully support them in their search for tips and leads. That’s what the mission of Crime Stoppers is dedicated to.”

Anyone who calls a tip into Crime Stoppers can do so without providing their name, ensuring that their identity remains anonymous.

“In the decades-long history of (Crime Stoppers), we have never breached that trust with the people who phone in tips and collect rewards,” Miles said.

The $15,000 reward is in addition for the $2,500 that’s offered by Luna County Crime Stoppers.

Anyone with information on these incidents can call Las Cruces Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or send a tip via text message to CRIMES (274637) with the keyword LCTIPS.

The FBI continues to offer a reward of up to $20,000 for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the devices. The FBI tipline is 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

Federal, state and local partners continue to investigate the Aug. 2 explosions outside Calvary Baptist Church and Holy Cross Catholic Church in Las Cruces. No injuries were reported but investigators believe the devices could have caused serious injury or death. Another suspicious device was located Aug. 14 outside First Presbyterian Church.

At this time investigators have not determined, conclusively, if the three incidents are related but are taking that possibility into consideration.