Man who convinced hit-and-run driver to turn himself in still did not get reward money

NEW YORK (WABC) -- In an Eyewitness News exclusive, angry questions are being asked by the man who convinced a fugitive, a hit-and-run driver to turn himself in, after he killed a family in Brooklyn.

Julio Acevedo was sentenced Monday to 25 years to life.

Now the friend responsible for Acevedo's surrender is asking, where's the reward money he was promised?

The violent hit-and-run accident ended the lives of the young Orthodox Jewish couple and their expected child.

For four days, in March of 2013, a community and much of the city followed every development in the NYPD's search to find the reckless driver, Julio Acevedo.

Thousands in reward money was offered, including $5,000 from two city councilman.

"I put myself out there," said Derrick Hamilton, a friend of Acevedo.

Hamilton convinced Acevedo to surrender to police; a drama that unfolded in a Pennsylvania parking lot, Acevedo was seen in a blue hoodie in a video following Hamilton's advice to turn himself in.

Two months ago, he was convicted of killing of the Brooklyn family.

"He was convicted back in February and you've yet to see reward money from any community leaders?" Eyewitness News Investigative Reporter Jim Hoffer asked.

"Nothing, not one single dime," Hamilton said. "If I didn't reach out to ask about the money, there would be no communication until today about that money, I don't think that's right, proper for an elected official."

Eyewitness News reached out to Councilman David Greenfield and Councilman Stephin Levin who promised the $5,000 reward. Neither would do an interview, but together they released a statement saying, "When the informant contacted us to ask for his reward, we provided his information to the NYPD so that the appropriate authorities could confirm the informant was the proper recipient of the funds." They added that "this week a check was sent to the New York City Police Foundation for $5,000 which will provide the reward after they undergo their internal process." One community leader says the hero in this tragedy has been made to beg for what he had been promised.

"If you throw money out to come forward with information be there with a check when the case is finalized," said Isaac Abraham, a community leader.

"They knew it was me, it wasn't a secret, no one reached out to me," Hamilton said.

Eyewitness News has learned that the $5,000 check from the two councilmen was mailed to the Police Foundation Tuesday.

The Foundation plans to add that to $10,000 it intends to give to Derrick Hamilton at the end of this month.