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Family of unsolved murder victim hopeful after recent Crime Stopper tip

Posted at 3:29 PM, Jun 22, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-24 21:31:46-04

A family who is still seeking answers in the murder of their loved one is hopeful after learning a tip led to the arrest of a hit and run suspect June 15

Waco Police said Tony Deangelo Rivera  was killed after a shooting in the 2300 block of Park Avenue on Oct. 29, 2017.

“He loved to help other people. He loved to work on his cars. He just loved life period," Rivera's mother Michelle Andrade said. “I pray every minute. I think about him every second.”

Andrade put up a sign at the Treasure City Flea Market asking for people to submit tips to Crime Stoppers if they have any information. The mother of four also has a billboard on Valley Mills calling for justice in his case.

“[I hope] that it would touch their heart and come forward to call the Waco Crime Stoppers and not be scared," Andrade said.

Waco Crime Stoppers Coordinator Officer Steve Dieterich said when people reach out to the nonprofit, they don't have to identify themselves.

"In regards to Crime Stoppers, the anonymity is guaranteed. I don’t know who the tipsters are," Dieterich said.

In 2018, Waco Crime Stoppers have received 700 calls, which have closed 60 cases. Police have made 35 arrests this year after the tips received, according to Dieterich.

If a person submits a tip that leads to an arrest, the tipster can receive a cash reward. The money comes from the fees someone who is on probation pays.

“The convicted felons are paying the reward money so that’s another form of justice," Dieterich said. 

In 2017, 80 people were arrested thanks to tips provided to Crime Stoppers. The nonprofit approved giving $14,100 to people whose tips led to an arrest. 

Andrade hopes anyone with information will come forward to help give her family closure.

“It would give a little me bit of life back to live because I know that my son. I know what happened to him and I can rest and he’ll be able to rest," Andrade said.

Crime Stoppers welcomes information on any felony cases that happened in McLennan County, as they serve all law enforcement agencies. In Waco, two murders remain unsolved, according to the 2017 annual police report. In 2018, there have been three murders and detectives are still seeking information in two of them.

If you have a tip for Crime Stoppers, call 254-753-HELP (4357). You can also submit tips online or through their mobile app.

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