As it does, the likelihood will go up that authorities will get a good lead on the escapees' whereabouts, said Tory Caeti, a criminology professor at the University of North Texas. There will probably be a lot of people hoping to cash in, but it also puts pressure on whoever may be helping those guys to turn them in as well. It's a good temptation. Caeti said that any tip leading to the convicts' arrest likely will come from someone who knows someone helping the convicts and knows where they are. There's even a possibility that one of the seven escapees might break rank and give up information to avoid the death penalty, he said.
Authorities say that's their best bet, however.
Since the escape, more than 1,200 tips have been received from all over the state, but none have panned out, Todd said. Fear that the convicts will commit another vicious crime has prompted some people to inquire about contributing to the reward pot. Constance Hargis, financial officer for the Greater Dallas Crime Commission, which oversees the Greater Dallas Regional Crime Stoppers, said the commission set up a bank account last week for that purpose. All Rights Reserved.