Crime Stoppers, the program that rewards people for identifying criminal suspects, celebrated its 25th year in Las Vegas Tuesday.

"Everybody in the community wants to reduce crime, and Crime Stoppers is a way to do that in an anonymous way," said Dennis Shipley, chairman of the Crime Stoppers Board of Trustees.

The program, which was known as Secret Witness when it started in 1979, has spent $1.2 million to reward tips that have led to more than 10,000 arrests of suspects wanted for murder, arson, robbery, drug trafficking and other offenses.

The tips have led to the recovery of more than $59 million in stolen property.

Recently, the program helped police arrest James Scholl, who was wanted in connection with the Aug. 20 fatal assault of a cabbie who was set on fire after refusing to give money to an assailant.

It also helped police arrest Raymond Garrett, who was wanted in connection with the fatal beating of Michael Born on June 2. Born stopped at the Wal-Mart near Nellis and Charleston boulevards to replace a headlight bulb when he was attacked and robbed.

Shipley told the Clark County Commission at a ceremony Tuesday that the organization plans to solicit contributions more aggressively than in the past during its 25th year.

He said Crime Stoppers' reputation will help it raise money because the group has been fighting crime so long.