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Media Help Appreciated
I am writing to you, the media to thank you for the work you do, particularly in assisting the Phoenix Police Department and the community in solving crimes. When we reach out to the media, it is because we believe you can help. Whether it’s finding a missing child or identifying a suspect, we know that with a simple phone call or e-mail, you will come to our aid. We consider you a valuable partner in making the community a safer place. I assure you that neither I nor my colleagues take that lightly. However, sometimes we may fail to thank you appropriately. Please accept my thanks for all that you do to work with us.
This past weekend I sent out media advisories on three separate accidents. One was to help identify a pedestrian killed. The second case was a man on a motorized scooter who was critically injured. The third was the case listed below. Because of your efforts, a neighbor called the police after learning of the information through the media and Mr. Hideo Tanaka was identified as the pedestrian killed. He was a 78-year-old man who immigrated to America from Japan in the 1950’s. His next of kin have been notified.
I have attached an update on the hit and run case that occurred Saturday morning, but you need to know a little more about the case. Shortly after midnight Saturday morning, Mr. Charles Waldrop was riding his bicycle home from work when he was struck and killed by a BMW. The only suspect information was a “silver BMW” with extensive damage. I sent the advisory out and you went to work. The information was put out to the community and an anonymous person called us with a tip.
Saturday, following the collision Mr. Timothy Kissida traded in his light blue, 1992 BMW 325I to a local auto dealership as part of the “cash for clunkers” program. He said the damage to the vehicle occurred when he hit a javelina. Sunday, because of the information provided by the media, the anonymous tip came to the Phoenix Police Department of what had occurred. Detectives were able to seize the vehicle and, following a series of search warrants, tie Mr. Kissida to the crime. Mr. Kissida was subsequently booked into the Maricopa County Jail, charged with one count of leaving the scene of a fatal collision and one count of tampering with evidence.
I don’t know, which media organization the callers in these two case got there information from. It doesn’t matter. The fact of the matter is we asked for your help, which we have done time and time again and you responded. Because of this, Mr. Tanaka’s next of kin was notified.
In addition, the man responsible for Mr. Waldrop’s death was located and arrested. The tip generated by your efforts was crucial in this case. The evidence would likely have been destroyed and the case may have gone unsolved. Because we will never know which media source the caller received the information from, I believe each of you deserve credit for helping solve this crime.
Please accept my sincere thanks to each and every one of you for helping with these two incidents.
Thank you,
Sergeant Tommy Thompson