Viewer tip leads to arrest of one of Southwest Florida’s Ten Most Wanted

A suspect on Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers Ten Most Wanted List was arrested on Thursday after a viewer sent in a tip.

According to Lee County Sheriff’s Office, police officers were able to track down Benoit Pierre, who was featured on WINK News as a member of Most Wanted Wednesday’s.

LCSO told WINK News the tip came in soon after the segment ran on air.

WINK News Safety and Security Specialist Rich Kolko added, “This is a new partnership between Crime Stoppers, WINK News and the community. A WINK viewer made the critical call, proof this partnership works, so keep calling in those tips.”

Pierre was arrested on two charges of Lewd and Lascivious Behavior for molesting a victim less than 12 years of age.

“Sharing information about dangerous wanted fugitives in our community is critically important to help find them,” said Trish Routte, with Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers. “In a perfect world, we would have law enforcement officers on every corner, 24/7, but the reality is that we need the public’s help.

“Pierre Benoit’s arrest is just another example of how anonymous tips can help track these criminals down and, in turn, help keep our community safe. Everyone can play a role in helping us find these individuals; sometimes the smallest piece of information can be parlayed into an arrest. And we want folks to remember that every tip is anonymous – the identity of the caller will never, ever be known – not by us here at Crime Stoppers, and certainly not by officers or attorneys.”

Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers
1-800-780-TIPS (8477) or
southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com