There's a new trooper in town.
At Wednesday's meeting of Warren County Crime Stoppers, Jeff Walters announced Jeff Dahl would be replacing him as the group's coordinator. The move comes as Walters takes on a new role in criminal investigations.
Although Walters will still be in Warren County, he will also be working in other counties. As a result, he said, he won't be able to make the group's monthly meetings.
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Times Observer photo by Colin Kyler
Introductions
Jeff Walters, right, introduces Jeff Dahl at the Warren County Crime Stoppers meeting.
"I've enjoyed being the coordinator," Walters said. "This is the best group in the state."
That assertion has been shared by the state director of Crime Stoppers. It is based on the payouts made, Walters said, and the crimes solved.
Walters and Dahl have known each other since they were children, and Dahl said he hopes to follow in Walters' footsteps.
In other business, Crime Stoppers approved two rewards. One caller saw a newspaper story about someone stealing cars, Walters said, and reported he was hiding under the Fifth Avenue Bridge.
Warren City Police found the suspect, Jeremiah Scott Kay, 26, 6 Anchor St., Clarendon, there. As a fugitive case, Walters said it was eligible for a $250 reward.
Sgt. Brandon Deppen of Warren City Police said the arrest came the evening after a search for the suspect complicated the first day of school. Police were able to solve three car thefts as a result of the arrest.
A second reward was given for a tip which came in while Dahl was manning the hotline. It involved two vehicles stolen from Venango County, Dahl said, and brought to Warren County in January 2011.
According to Walters, the vehicles were then burned in Spring Creek. Four people were involved.
At $550, Walters said it would be the largest reward he has asked for. There were a number of suspects involved in the crime.
After stealing the cars, Walters said the suspects went on joyrides. Then they decided to burn the stolen vehicles.
"They thought they wouldn't get caught," Dahl said. "It was the best way to cover up the evidence."
Members planned to hold their next meeting at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17 in the Allegheny Community Center.