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Seeking Arrests, Immigrants' Rights Groups Revive Reward Tactic

San Diego County immigrants' rights groups have revived a tactic that has helped law enforcement solve two cases in which migrants were attacked in the mid-90's. The groups have substantially increase

Seeking Arrests, Immigrants' Rights Groups Revive Reward Tactic

WEB EXTRA (On right) | Video from January of McGonigle Canyon vandalization, courtesy of El Grupo, and California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation.

San Diego County immigrants' rights groups have revived a tactic that has helped law enforcement solve two cases in which migrants were attacked in the mid-90's. The groups have substantially increased the Crime Stoppers award for anyone with information that leads to arrests in the McGonigle Canyon vandalism case. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has more.

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In January, six people slashed migrant workers' belongings in McGonigle Canyon near Rancho Pensaquitos. Police say there are four witnesses.

They've served three search warrants, including one for Minuteman leader Jeff Schwilk.

But they haven't made arrests. In the mid-90's, crime stoppers awards lead to breaks in two cases in which migrants were beaten.

$1,500 helped solve an Alpine incident, and $30,000 led to arrests in a McGonigle Canyon attack.

Bill Flores, with El Grupo, helped raise an extra $9,000 in award money for this latest case.

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Flores : It only happens on rare cases, and meaningful cases that are so ugly it requires this monetary incentive to get someone to come forward.

The reward will be offered for six months. All tips are anonymous.

Amy Isackson, KPBS News.