Tip leads to capture of bail jumper
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com

A bail jumper named El Campo Police's "Most Wanted" last Saturday was captured on Halloween after a tipster helped police locate him.

Steven Escamilla, 32, whose last known address was 803 Cotton Ave. in El Campo was featured in the Oct. 24 issue of the El Campo Leader-News as part of an ongoing program of the newspaper, the El Campo Police Department and West Wharton County Crime Stoppers.

The "Most Wanted" program pays cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and grand jury indictment of those charged with felonies. Ater reading about Escamilla's case, a tipster called and told police where to find the fugitive.

Escamilla was wanted in county court on a warrant for probation violation - resisting search or transport. He also forfeited his bond in Wharton County District Court for charges of theft of firearm, possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver and endangering a child. As well, he's wanted for forfeiting his bond in county court for resisting arrest and possession of marijuana.

Cindy Howell, El Campo Police officer and Crime Stoppers coordinator, said a tip led to Escamilla's arrest Wednesday by Officer James Herrington. Escamilla was taken straight to Wharton County Jail, where he remained at presstime.

In October, two fugitives were featured in the Most Wanted program.

Both were captured in less than a week after appearing in the paper.

West Wharton County Crime Stoppers will pay cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and grand jury indictment of wanted felons. Call Crime Stoppers at 543-8477.