El Paso County Sheriff's Office

Manhunt Mondays
Manhunt Monday Wanted Fugitives
Manhunt Monday is a program launched by Deputy Jesse Tovar back in September 2008.
Manhunt Monday Video Briefs Courtesy of Newschannel 9
How did Manhunt Monday begin?
In April 2008, just a month after taking the role of Public Information Officer (PIO), Deputy Tovar learned the Sheriff's Office relationship with Crime Stoppers was pretty much non-existent despite working with Crime Stoppers of El Paso on numerous occasions. The relationship had steadily declined over the years.
Deputy Tovar also noticed that the El Paso Police Department would feature the top 5 of El Paso's "Most Wanted". Tovar contacted Crime Stoppers and they were most surprised that the Sheriff's Office wanted to begin working with them. Later that summer, August 2008- the Sheriff's Office had their first "most wanted" featured in the Sunday edition of the El Paso Times along with EPPD's list.
Deputy Tovar still not satisfied, did more research and was shocked when he learned there were over 60,000 active warrants in the Sheriff's Office database system. While trying to figure out what else he could do to assist in capturing fugitives, Deputy Tovar came across an on-line story from Newport News, VA which had a catchy headline:
Hampton police catch fugitive: A pursuit and Manhunt Monday night ended with the arrest of a man wanted on murder charges in Chesapeake.
After reading the story of the "Monday manhunt" in Newport News, VA- Deputy Tovar had an idea.
An idea of how through the media- TV, Radio & newspaper, fugitives at large where the trail had grown cold if featured properly, could be caught within hours, days, weeks, maybe even months but eventually caught.
Deputy Tovar did a search of old Sheriff's Office wanted bulletins where fugitives wanted for violent offenses or serious crimes remained at large.
Deputy Tovar chose an individual wanted for molesting his stepdaughter.
On September 15, 2008, Deputy Tovar launched the 1st Sheriff's Office "Manhunt Monday" feature.
The Media & Community Reaction
The media & community response was astonishing as there was great coverage, stories & reviews by television stations, news paper & radio. The El Paso Times Reporter who wrote the first "Manhunt Monday" contacted Deputy Tovar telling him readers had a positive reaction & wanted to help capture the fugitive featured. From that point forward, the Sheriff's Office "Most Wanted" Fugitive of the week has been showcased every Monday on "Manhunt Monday". Tips from the community pour in every week giving important information on the fugitives featured.
Every week "Manhunt Monday" is featured on English & Spanish Television, newspaper & radio.
Prior to this publication, Deputy Tovar has never publicly released or stated he created "Manhunt Monday" but rather gives credit to the boots on the ground - the Deputies & Officers actively looking for these wanted fugitives.
Crime Stoppers & other Law Enforcement reactions
At the onset of "Manhunt Monday", Deputy Tovar received numerous calls from the law enforcement community- from all levels- local, state & federal agencies who supported this program showcasing 1 wanted fugitive every week.
The amount of calls to Crime Stoppers of El Paso's was at an all time high. According to Crime Stoppers Marketing Executive James Klaes, the call volume went up significantly when the Sheriff's Office began featuring their weekly top 5 most wanted & "Manhunt Monday" Fugitives.
The Sheriff's Office recognizes that without the help & support from the community & all local media, the success of "Manhunt Monday" could never have been possible.