VIRGINIA BEACH — Crime doesn’t pay, but helping the police solve them does.
This month, tipsters have earned a total of $2,800 for helping the Virginia Beach Police Department find and arrest eight wanted people. These include Richard J. Gregory, a 24-year-old man accused of murdering 29-year-old Erica Alford at an apartment complex on Newton Arch on May 8.
Another tip also helped police find a man wanted for failure to appear in court. When officers arrived at a house to pick him up, they also found a second wanted person, an illegal gun and $1,500 in drugs, according to the VBPD.
Last year, 859 Crime Solvers tips helped the VBPD arrest 69 people on 164 charges. Police also found $104,660 in stolen property and drugs, and paid tipsters $15,813 in awards.
Virginia Beach Crime Solvers is a nonprofit group that raises money for the rewards. To make a donation, go to crimesolvers.com.