Texas Most Wanted List Includes A $30,000 Reward

Every week, Texas Department of Public Safety Sergeant Marc Couch comes into my radio show to help keep West Texans informed about what's happening around our part of the state. I think it's important to share this information with you, because if you know something, say something.

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This week, one number on the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive list really caught my attention: $30,000.

That's the reward now being offered for information that leads to the arrest of Texas fugitive Reynaldo Mata-Rios, who is wanted for murder. DPS lists his last known address as Pharr, Texas.

Why West Texans Should Pay Attention

Sometimes we see a fugitive's last known address listed hundreds of miles from Abilene and assume the story doesn't concern us.

I don't look at it that way.

Abilene sits directly along Interstate 20, one of the major east-west transportation corridors across Texas. People move through our community every single day, and wanted fugitives don't necessarily stay where authorities last saw them.

As a father, I think about our kids and families. You never know where someone being sought by law enforcement may turn up. That's why I believe recognizing a face on a wanted poster can matter.

Who Is Reynaldo Mata-Rios?

DPS identifies Mata-Rios as a Hispanic male born October 12, 1965. He is listed as six feet tall and approximately 195 pounds.

He is wanted for murder, and DPS is offering a reward of up to $30,000 for information leading to his arrest.

Other people appearing on the list provided by DPS include Miguel Angel Gomez, wanted for murder and a parole violation; Hassan Haitham Muhsen, wanted for capital murder; Ernest Christopher Nathan, wanted for murder; Carlos Jose Ayala Morales, wanted for attempted indecency with a child by sexual contact; Jennifer Ann Murillo, wanted for assault of hospital personnel; and Anthony Dewayne Oliver, wanted on family-violence assault charges. DPS lists rewards ranging from $3,000 to $7,500 for those fugitives.

Do Not Try to Apprehend Anyone Yourself

DPS has one warning that cannot be stressed enough: fugitives on this list should be considered armed and dangerous, and members of the public should never attempt to apprehend one themselves.

Tips can be submitted anonymously through Texas Crime Stoppers at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477), through the Texas 10 Most Wanted website or through the DPS Mobile App. DPS says anonymity is guaranteed by law.

I'll keep praying for our law enforcement officers, our children and our communities. But paying attention is something all of us can do.

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