Inland Northwest crime tips, rewards climbed in 2009

The amount of cash awarded for tips that solve crimes is on the rise in the Inland Northwest.

The fugitive apprehension organization Crime Stoppers paid $8,750 in rewards on 52 tips last year – an increase since 2008 of 12 tips and more than $6,000.

The number of tips submitted to Crime Stoppers jumped from 524 in 2008 to 803 in 2009, according to an annual report released Tuesday.

Tips helped solve one homicide, five pharmacy robberies and one armed robbery.

Crime Stoppers also paid four $75 rewards in 2009 to students who reported weapons on campus.

For a list of rewards offered by Crime Stoppers, visit the organization’s Web site.