Conviction is required, and the informant needs formal recognition by the FBI as a recognized informant first. Karen just called 911, forfeiting the reward.
So anybody who is out and about and sees a fugitive with a publicized reward should know...don't call 911. Call John Walsh, or pound sand.
Probably gotta call a specific extension that's only staffed from 10am to 2:30pm with a 2 hour lunch from 11:15 to 1:15 on the first and third weeks of the month and 12:15 to 2:15 on the other weeks.
That's hillarious. If this were a movie I'd call it bad writing. Heck almost any editor in the world would have it changed to a scene where the snitch is suddenly blinged the fuck out.