The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has heightened its efforts in the search for a man deemed one of Texas' most wanted. Omar David Zavala, identified as a "criminal illegal immigrant" from El Salvador, is August's featured fugitive, with a boosted reward for tips leading to his arrest now standing at $4,000, effective only if received within the month’s confines, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Zavala is wanted in Harris County for serious charges including sexual assault, terroristic threat, and obstruction/retaliation. These offenses have kept him on the run since 2022, and the authorities are urging the public to help reel him in.
Standing tall at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing around 180 pounds, Zavala is recognizable by the tattoo that adorns his right forearm. Though last known to frequent Harris County, having ties to the city of Spring, he also once had connections in the state of Virginia. After being arrested several times by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement back in 2014 and subsequently removed from the country in 2015, he re-emerged on the radar of law enforcement when the Houston Police Department detained him in May 2020 for terroristic threats and obstruction/retaliation. Details about Zavala or updates on his status can be found on the DPS website.
Backed by the Governor’s Public Safety Office, Texas Crime Stoppers is offering cash rewards to individuals who deliver actionable intelligence that culminates in the arrest of any of Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Fugitives, Sex Offenders, or Criminal Illegal Immigrants. Since the beginning of 2024, including 10 sex offenders and 9 gang members, DPS and partner agencies have nabbed 28 such individuals on the list. Amongst the arrested, 3 were categorized as criminal illegal immigrants, presenting a stark reminder of the harsh realities faced by those embroiled in such illegalities and the steadfast resolve of those committed to upholding the law.
Texas DPS has made it clear that all tips must be brought forth through one of three secure methods to be considered for the reward. These methods include calling the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477), submitting a web tip on the DPS website by selecting the fugitive you have information about, or offering information via a Facebook tip on the DPS page in the "SUBMIT A TIP" section.
