$25,000 Double Murder Reward – AJ and Melvin
Posted by Max Cannon in $10,000+, Connecticut, Unsolved Murder, tags: Anthony “AJ” Anderson, connecticut, CrimePAY$, Max Cannon, Melvin Silva-Pizarro, murder, reward, RewardsTV, Unsolved Murder Reward
Anthony "AJ" Anderson
Melvin Silva-Pizarro
CrimePAY$ $25,000 Reward TipLine 1-888-755-TIPS (8477)
MERIDEN, CT — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy approved a request from the New Haven state’s attorney’s office and the Meriden Police Department to offer a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction in the double homicide at Crown and Olive streets on Aug. 14, 2012.
Detectives have been investigating all possible leads, but the tip hotline has been quiet for the most part, Detective Lt. Mark Walerysiak said in a press release. The Police Department hopes the reward offer will lead to more information.
Police responded to reports of two men shot at 10:10 p.m. on Aug. 14. Anthony “AJ” Anderson, 25, and Melvin Silva-Pizarro, 30, were pronounced dead at MidState Medical Center later that night.
Mayor Michael S. Rohde said the reward is a “big deal.” He said he knew the Police Department had made the request, and he said it’s a great that the state is willing to help the city.
“I think it’s good news for us,” Rohde said. The mayor said he’s talked with a number of police officers who said rewards help generate more of a response from the public.
Rohde learned from talking with police that people may be afraid to talk with police. He said there’s a culture of not telling and people don’t want to be snitches.
“People are afraid to get involved and put themselves at risk,” Rohde said.
City Councilor Walter A. Shamock Jr. said offering the reward is a step in the right direction. He, too, said people with information about the killings may be reluctant to come forward out of fear of retribution.
City Councilor Tony Tomassetti also said the reward is good news for the city.
“I know the detective division has been working hard,” Tomassetti said. “But $25,000, somebody will talk with this kind of money.”
Police Chief Jeffry Cossette said the department requested a reward in the case because they want people to come forward.
“It’s a big incentive,” Cossette said.
The money won’t be given to just anyone who gives information to the police. Someone has to come forward with information that leads to an arrest and conviction, Cossette said. Detectives have been working extended hours since the incident occurred, he said.
Cossette said there are reasons why people may not have come forward with information. He said the crime happened late at night. No one may have been around and no one saw anything.
“But people talk,” Cossette said. “If they know something, this may give them the nudge to come forward.”
CrimePAY$ $25,000 Reward 1-888-755-TIPS (8477)
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