With in hours of asking 9NEWS viewers to call the Crime Stoppers hotline for help solving the stabbing of Dean Withers, someone called with the tip that solved the case.

"It was crucial," said Trevor Materasso of Westminster Police. "This tip broke the case wide open and was the solution to identifying the individual and getting the individual into custody and developing a case that can be prosecuted in the future."

Westminster Police found Ryan Nichols, 26, in his parent's basement where he lived. Since his arrest reports about his history of mental illness surfaced.

Withers is still in the hospital but his family told reporters on Wednesday they expect him to recover and come home soon.

The metro-Denver chapter of Crime Stoppers is a nonprofit organization that accepts no public money. The organization raises money to offer rewards to help solve crimes in cities around the metro area.

According to coordinator Dave Belue of Denver Police, Crime Stoppers pays out about $4,000 a month to people who call in tips that solve crimes featured on 9NEWS.

To learn more about Crime Stoppers or to make a donations go to their Web site: http://www.metro-denvercrimestoppers.com/.