Texas DPS detains record number of most wanted criminals in 2022

Austin, Texas – The Texas Department of Public Safety reports that 2022 saw the largest number of most wanted criminals caught in a single year.

DPS, in collaboration with state, federal, local and Mexican authorities, has apprehended 72 fugitives and sex offenders, the highest since the program launched in 1993 and more than double the previous record set in 2021.

An $88,000 reward was also paid in anonymous advice that led to the arrests.

Among the 72 people captured in 2022, 34 were convicted of sexual offenses and 24 gang members, the most in the history of the program. The program also set several other new records: most warrants issued (220) and most out-of-state arrests (14), including arrests in Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma , Oregon and Mexico.

DPS investigators are working with local law enforcement to select fugitives for a list of Texas’ top 10 most wanted fugitives and sex offenders who pose the greatest threat to public safety in the state. Current lists – with photos – are on the DPS website.

Texas Crime Stoppers, funded by the Governor’s Criminal Justice Department, is offering a reward to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest of one of the 10 most wanted fugitives or sex offenders in Texas.

Crime Stoppers programs allow citizens to anonymously report crime information for a monetary reward, helping to put criminals behind bars and assisting in crime reduction efforts.

To be eligible for monetary rewards, tipsters MUST provide information to authorities in one of the following three ways:

All hints are anonymous – no matter how they are submitted – and hinters will be given a hint number, not a name.