About

When a young college student, Michael Carmen, was shot to death during a robbery at an Albuquerque, New Mexico gas station in July 1976, Detective Greg MacAleese had no idea who was responsible for the killing.

No witnesses came forward and unless MacAleese thought of something innovative to get the public to help solve the murder, the crime would remain a mystery. He came up with the idea of making a video re-enactment of the homicide, giving guaranteed anonymity to anyone who was willing to call him with information, and putting up a reward from his own pocket. 

At that time Albuquerque had one of the highest per capita crime rates in the country and people were afraid to help the police—but MacAleese’s plan worked. Within a few hours after the video was broadcast on TV, he received a phone call. 

With the help of the anonymous tip, MacAleese and a team of detectives arrested two men within 72 hours and charged them with the murder of Carmen and a string of armed robberies.

Afterwards, MacAleese received other tips, including one that allowed police to solve the rape of a young woman. Realizing that this type of program was useful in fighting crime, MacAleese convinced the Albuquerque Police Department to allow a group of citizens to establish the first Crime Stoppers program, earning MacAleese the title of U.S. Police Officer of the Year and helping lower Albuquerque’s crime rate.