Detectives from the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division continue to exert pressure on illicit gambling operations within our city by serving search warrants on two illegal gambling establishments Thursday afternoon.

NVID Detectives first raided an unnamed game room located in the 1900 block of South Padre Island Dr. Although closed at the time, Detectives seized 102 illegal gaming components and one ATM. Detectives followed up with a second search warrant at an illegal game room located in the 1700 block of South Padre Island Dr. During that search, Detectives found and seized 119 items of illegal gambling equipment, one ATM, and over $25,000 in cash. Employees Jayla Garcia, age 21, Raykwon Blake, age 24, Erick Castro, age 25, and 26-year-old Orly Villarreal were arrested and charged with Violation of the Nueces County Game Room Ordinance, Keeping a Gambling Place, Gambling Promotion, Possession of a Gambling Device, and Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity. Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity is a State Jail Felony, punishable by up to two years in jail and a maximum $10,000 fine. The other charges are class A misdemeanors. Twenty-five adult patrons inside the game room were cited for gambling, a class C misdemeanor.

The two operations were the result of intensive, months-long investigations that uncovered evidence of illegal gambling. The investigation continues into each business, and additional arrests are expected.

NVID was assisted by Officers with the CCPD Traffic Section as well as an investigator with the Office of the Texas Comptroller.

The Corpus Christi Police Department reminds citizens that game rooms which pay out cash rewards, or rewards that can be immediately redeemed for cash are engaging in illegal gambling. Patrons as well as the management of these establishments face criminal charges.

The Corpus Christi Police Department continues to collaborate with our local, state, and federal partners to investigate and combat illegal gambling. Detectives will continue to enforce all Texas gambling laws, helping us accomplish our mission to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and to improve the quality of life in our community.

Jayla Garcia (21)

Raykwon Blake (24)

Erick Castro (25)

Orly Villarreal (26)

This morning, Chief Markle spoke with local media in reference to the Officer Involved Shooting that occurred on Friday, January 23, 2026, on the 3100 block of Agnes Street. 

We are grateful for the continued support of our community.  And we continue to keep our Officers close in our thoughts and prayers as they continue to recover.

68A inspections for Tuesday, February 3, 2026, have been cancelled.

Ricardo Rojas has been discharged from a local hospital and transported to the City Detention Center for booking. Rojas has been charged with four counts of Attempted Capital Murder, one count of Murder, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by Felon.

07/11/1987

On January 27, 2026, at 6:00 am, The Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics/Vice Investigations Division along with CCPD’s SWAT Team executed a search warrant in the 7700 block of Grizzley Dr.

NVID conducted a search of a residence and found 26 THC vapes, 2.24 oz of Marijuana, a rifle, a pistol, vials of liquid believed to be testosterone, and $8,477.00 in US currency.

Gabriel Grande (32) was taken into custody for Manufacture/Delivery PG2 and Possession of Marijuana. The liquid vials will be sent for testing, and additional charges are pending the results. ATF will be pursuing additional gun charges.

Gabriel Grande (32)

On January 23, 2026, at 2:47 pm, Officers with the Corpus Christi Police Department were dispatched to the 4900 block of Ayers Street in reference to a shooting.

When Officers arrived, they located a male with multiple gunshot wounds. The male was transported to a local hospital by Corpus Christi Fire Department, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

At 3:33 pm, Officers located the suspect vehicle of the homicide on the 3100 block of Agnes Street. While Officers were detaining the suspect the suspect produced a weapon and began firing. Officers returned fire, striking the suspect multiple times.

Two Officers were shot and transported to a local hospital. One Officer remains in critical condition, and the second Officer is stable. A third Officer sustained injuries from shrapnel and was treated by medics on scene.

The 38-year-old male suspect is stable at a local hospital, where he remains in custody.

The Corpus Christi Police Officers who were involved will be placed on paid administrative leave, in accordance with current department practice and policy.

This is still an active and ongoing investigation. If you have any information about this incident, you are encouraged to call the Corpus Christi Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 361-886-2840. Anyone who would like to keep their identity secret and still provide information to detectives should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the tip online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=.

The Corpus Christi Police Department is looking to hire a Forensic Technical Specialist.

The Forensic Technical Specialist will be responsible for inspecting, calibrating and maintaining various laboratory instruments and performing digital crime scene documentation, examples include Laser scanning, UAV (drone) mapping, 3D reconstruction of crime scenes, virtual walk throughs, digital image enhancement and more.

Click the link to read more and/or apply:

https://css-corpuschristi-prd.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/Jobs/form/JobPosting%5BJobPostingSet%5D%281,10473,1%29.JobPostingDisplay?fromlist=JobPosting.JobSearchList&navigation=JobPosting%5BJobPostingSet%5D%281,10473,1%29.JobPostingDisplayNav&csk.JobBoard=EXTERNAL&csk.HROrganization=1

On December 19, 2025, at 12:47 am, Officers with the Corpus Christi Police Department were dispatched to the 400 block of N Mesquite St in reference to a shooting.

Once officers arrived, they located a 53-year-old male with multiple gunshot wounds and immediately began administering first aid until Medics with the Corpus Christi Fire Department arrived. Two people were detained on scene in relation to the shooting.

Due to the nature of the call CCPD’s Criminal Investigation Division was called to the scene. It was later determined that several people were involved in a physical altercation and a weapon was produced.

The male was transported to a local hospital in critical but stable condition.

Macario Trevino (39) and Sabastian Espinoza (23) were taken into custody for Aggravated Assault w/ Deadly Weapon (2^nd Degree Felony).

This is an isolated incident and an active and ongoing investigation. 

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Criminal Investigation Division at (361) 826-2840. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can submit tips to Crime Stoppers at (361) 888-TIPS or 888-8477.

Macario Trevino (39)

Sabastian Espinoza (23)

On Thursday December 18, 2025 at 12:32 am, Officers with the Corpus Christi Police Department observed a vehicle driving recklessly and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle fled from Officers and Officers lost sight of the vehicle.  While searching the area, Officers found the vehicle wrecked out on the 800 block of 16th Street.  The vehicle had struck a parked vehicle.  Officers found the vehicle to have three juvenile occupants.  Two of the juveniles had non-life threatening injuries, and one juvenile had serious injuries.  All juvenile occupants were transported to local hospitals.  One juvenile succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

While Officers were investigating the accident, a call came in for an aggravated robbery that had just occurred.  A victim stated that their vehicle had been taken at gun point by juvenile males.  Officers quickly determined the vehicle involved in the accident was the vehicle that had just been stolen.  Additionally, Officers recovered a firearm inside the vehicle.

This is an active and ongoing investigation.  Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Criminal Investigation Division at (361) 826-2840. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can submit tips to Crime Stoppers at (361) 888-TIPS or 888-8477.

On September 18, 2025, the Corpus Christi Police Department initiated an internal and criminal investigation on Corpus Christi Police Officer Travis Haecker, after receiving a complaint for theft of non-city funds. 

Following the investigation, evidence was presented to the Nueces County District Attorney’s Office for review. After evaluating the findings, three warrants of arrest were issued for Haecker.

Haecker has been charged with theft of property from a non-profit organization (SJF), credit card abuse (SJF) and misapplication of fiduciary property (class A misdemeanor).  As this is still an ongoing investigation, we are unable to provide specific details at this time.   

On Friday, December 12, 2025 Haecker turned himself in to the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office. 

Every investigation is a thorough and impartial process designed to ensure fairness and accuracy. It is essential to recognize that every individual has the right to due process, which includes the opportunity to present their defense and respond to allegations throughout the entire investigative process.  Haecker is currently on administrative leave.