Arlington Heights Crime Stoppers helps group's president

When his bank was robbed in April, Ken Alger quickly learned the value of the Arlington Heights Crime Stoppers, an organization which he serves as president.

Alger, who has been involved with Crime Stoppers for about seven years, said it never occurred to him that he would benefit so personally.

"I never dreamed it would help us so directly," said Alger, who manages the Village Bank & Trust branch on South Arlington Heights Road. "I never put two and two together, but it has come full circle. It really worked. Our bank was the last bank in the string of five (robberies), and someone called in and said 'I know that guy.'"

Just a few days after the robbery, James. W. Fedij of Hoffman Estates was arrested and charged with robbing five Northwest suburban banks in the month of April, including Alger's Village Bank & Trust.

Police Cmdr. Ken Galinski, who is in charge of investigations, credited the Daily Herald with running a picture of Fedij taken from a surveillance camera along with the Crime Stoppers phone number, which solicits tips for police while allowing the callers to remain anonymous.

"We had one tip and Wheeling (police) had one," said Galinski.

Arlington Heights Crime Stoppers gave two monetary awards for tips that led to Fedij's arrest.

"What Crime Stoppers really does is form a bit of a bond between the community at large - business and otherwise - with the police department," said Alger. "Making the community stronger makes the bank stronger. It's the same reason we're in the Chamber of Commerce and a lot of other causes."

Familiarity with the police department made Alger more comfortable during the robbery's aftermath, too. For example, the first policeman who responded was the recipient of the Officer of the Year Award that Crime Stoppers gives out.

Sgt. Tom Seleski, who serves as the police department's liaison to the organization, said the ability to give tips anonymously is very important. People calling the center in Canada are given a number as a means to identify themselves for an opportunity to get a reward. Neither phone numbers or names are collected or passed on when the tip is faxed and e-mailed to local authorities.

"Crime Stoppers is a plus," said Seleski. "People have come forward here and provided us with information recently that helped us solve some crimes."

Seleski wanted to make it clear that the Crime Stoppers number is not designed for reporting crimes in progress and does not work as a substitute for 911.

Both Alger and Seleski would appreciate tips about Laura Johnson, the young mother of two who disappeared 20 years ago. Police are certain she is no longer alive.

"That certainly qualifies," said Seleski. "We would like to get information that would help us recover the remains and find who might be responsible for her disappearance."

The Crime Stoppers branch has only given four awards in the last year or so, said Alger. Other successful tips besides the bank robbery involved a gas station robbery and a charge of impersonating an officer.

Arlington Heights Crime Stoppers was started in the early 1990s by board members of the local Chamber of Commerce, who joined the international network. Leaders are helping form a chapter in Mount Prospect, and would like to see groups set up in all surrounding communities.

Although Alger does not want to reveal the exact amount of the monetary awards for tips, they range up to $1,000, depending on how many cases are cleared and the severity of the crime.

The awards are paid out when the police department considers the case cleared and the tip legitimately helpful. Crime Stoppers does not wait for trial as that would take too long, said Alger.

"We want to give awards. We honestly do," said Alger. "The more people understand that we do give awards, the stronger the program becomes."

The money comes from donations and two annual fundraiser - a golf outing and a bowling event shared with the Rolling Meadows Kiwanis.

The Crime Stoppers number to call with tips on the disappearance of Laura Johnson or any other serious crime is (847) 590-7867.