Police: Tsatsos case still 'very solvable'
A Crime Stoppers offered for information about the death of Macomb freshman Ryan Tsatsos increased to $5,000.
Tsatsos was killed by a hit and run driver just after midnight on Crawford Road in Union Township. The reward was initially $2,500. It was increased last week.
The driver has not been found. A Crime Stoppers representative said the organization has received "quite a few" tips that were forwarded to the Michigan State Police. Since November, the department has received 54 tips, kept in an overly full binder, which are all being investigated, said Sgt. Gary Green.
The most recent tip was reported today. A Central Michigan University student was reported to have bought a new car just after Tsatsos' death. Green said the student's original car is now in Clinton Township, and will be followed up on.
To report a tip, call 1-800-SPEAK-UP
In November, Michigan State Police determined the car is a dark, metallic blue, likely with damage to the passenger side. This was based on remnants of paint found on Tsatsos' body. Police believe the car is a sedan. Green said the crime lab has been actively investigating the paint.
"We have sample colors of the car — squares from the lab that are very close in color," Green said.
Police also have a list of blue vehicles reported in crashes around the time of Tsatsos' death. Coordinating with manufacturers, they are investigating many similar paint colors and types of paint, Green said.
"This is still very solvable," Green said. "If we are able to find a vehicle, the uniqueness of the paint will tell us it belongs to this car. The increase in reward probably makes someone thinking about reporting more motivated. It's unfortunate that that tells you something about the human condition, but it's reality."
The night of his death, Tsatsos was on his way back to Merrill Hall with a group of friends after a Halloween party at Deerfield Village. The group was walking north on Crawford Road, an area in Union Township which is poorly lit and has no sidewalks. He was wearing black shorts and a red blazer when he was struck and killed.
