Victim's family seeks reward fund help

and KEVIN BATES

The family of Topeka's most recent homicide victim is asking the public to contribute to a reward fund for information to help bring about the capture of the teen charged with his murder.

Relatives said Wednesday they wanted to help ensure that whoever killed Anthony D. Frazier doesn't get away with it.

Frazier's family members say a reward might motivate people to come forward to police with information about the whereabouts of16- year-old Ruben Cruz, who Topeka police said fled to Mexico earlier this month.

Cruz was charged in Shawnee County District Court with second- degree murder in the slaying Aug. 7 of Frazier, 18, of Leavenworth.

Frazier was killed at 1031 N.W. Central. Police aren't saying how he was slain, but neighbors reported hearing an argument and a gunshot.

Topeka police on Aug. 12 arrested an aunt of Cruz's, saying she apparently helped him leave the United States for Mexico. Detectives said Thursday they believe Cruz still is in Mexico.

Rosemary Stallings, Frazier's grandmother, said the reward fund would be administered by the Ad Hoc Group Against Crime, of Kansas City, Mo. She said she considered it unlikely Cruz would be captured in Mexico but hoped the reward money would help bring about his capture if he were to come back across the border.

Alvin Brooks, president of the Ad Hoc Group Against Crime, agreed to help the family raise money for a reward, he said Thursday. Brooks' organization cooperates frequently with a Kansas City radio station, KPRS FM and KPRT AM, on items such as the Fraziers', he said.

Brooks already has mentioned the homicide on the airwaves, which broadcasts at 103.3 FM and 1590 AM. A few calls have come in providing encouragement, he said, but no money had been raised by Thursday.

Allie Stallings, Frazier's mother, said Thursday that she had begun distributing fliers throughout Leavenworth informing residents about the reward fund.

Reward donations may be mailed to the Ad Hoc Group Against Crime at 3330 Troost, Kansas City, Mo., 64109. Those donating can reach Alvin Brooks or Kim Denton at (816) 531-0000 and should mention that they want their donation to go toward Anthony Frazier's reward fund.

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