Operation Safe Return is this Saturday. We hope to see you there. If you need more information, contact the Crime Prevention Unit at 361-886-2765.

CORPUS CHRISTI POLICE AUCTION FOR SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 2023, HAS BEEN POSTPONED.

The next scheduled auction will be September 2, 2023.

On Saturday, July 29, 2023, at 11:26 pm, officers were dispatched to the area of Politics, located at the 7400 block of S. Staples St., in reference to a disturbance involving a gun at a residence on the 5700 block of Aava Drive. 

When officers arrived, they were confronted by a male who produced a weapon. Officers backed off and set up a perimeter around the residence. Officers learned that there was an elderly female inside the house and officers began formulating a plan to get the female out of the house. Officers communicated with the males for about an hour-and-a-half in an effort to safely remove the female. 

While officers were out front, staged, the two brothers that live in the residence, exited the house and opened fire on the officers. Officers returned fire, striking both suspects and then provided first aid prior to medics transporting them to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.  

Officers searched the inside of the house and found the elderly female deceased, with the cause of death as unknown at this time.  

The officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave at this time, in accordance with current department practice and policy. 

This is still an active and ongoing investigation. If you have any information pertaining to 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=

An anti-prostitution sting conducted by the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division Wednesday afternoon resulted in the arrest of four men for solicitation of prostitution, a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in a state jail facility and fines up to $10,000. Despite the intense heat that has plagued the city in recent weeks, these four men were undaunted in their quest for illegal sexual activity, resulting in their arrests when they solicited an undercover CCPD Officer, posing as a prostitute, for sex acts in exchange for money. The operation targeted several north and west side neighborhoods frequented by prostitutes. Arrested for solicitation of prostitution were Homero Padron-Rivera, age 42; Steven Jimenez, age 26; Miguel Angel Garcia, age 60; and Erubiel Lira Aradillas, age 44.

NVID Detectives were assisted in the operation by Directed Patrol Officers, along with civilians with the Red Cord Initiative. The Red Cord Initiative is a prostitution diversion program designed to provide practical and emotional support for those involved in prostitution. The program is successful due to the collaboration between the Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation, social service organizations, the Nueces County District Attorney Office, and the Corpus Christi Police Department. The program affords those involved with sex work an opportunity to address the myriad of behavioral, social, and psychological problems they have faced throughout their lifetime. Since 2013, Red Cord has provided numerous women with health services, job training, substance abuse treatment, clothing, housing, counseling, and other social services needed to address the circumstances related to their involvement in prostitution. Participants who successfully complete the program have their cases dismissed by the District Attorney’s Office.

The men arrested during Wednesday’s operation may be required to attend a prostitution diversion education program, at their expense, in addition to the criminal fines and penalties. This program educates men about the negative consequences of prostitution, circumstances that may lead someone to purchase sex, and the impact they have on the individual they attempt to solicit sex from in exchange for money. The fees raised from this program are then used to provide some of the resources mentioned above, to assist women seeking to escape the bondage of prostitution.

Although often inaccurately referred to as a “victimless” crime, prostitution is inextricably linked to multiple other crimes including assault, human trafficking, sexual abuse, drug abuse, and the spread of sexually transmitted infectious disease. Neighborhoods where prostitution is prevalent experience a drastic degradation of the quality of life that citizens expect and deserve. The Corpus Christi Police Department will continue to collaborate with all government and private entities to combat prostitution and help accomplish our mission of working with the community to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and enhance public safety.

On July 12, 2023, at 12:22 am, officers responded to the 4600 block of Kostoryz Dr. in reference to shots heard. When officers arrived, they located a 39-year-old male with a gunshot wound and he was immediately transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries.

As the officers were at the scene another victim, a 21-year-old female, had arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division began their investigation and evidence led to a suspect being identified. A warrant for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon was obtained for 23-year-old Latraye Callandret.

On Thursday July 13, 2023, at 10:02 pm Latraye Callandret was stopped for a traffic violation and placed into custody for the outstanding warrant. He was transported to the City Detention Center for processing.

The original charge was upgraded to murder on Friday, July 14, 2023, after the victim passed away from the injuries. Callandret was already booked into the Nueces County Jail and the murder warrant was served at the Nueces County Jail on Friday, July 14, 2023.

On July 24, 2023, Homicide Detectives were able secure additional warrants for a second offender, 46-year-old Ramondo Stewart, in reference to the shooting.

On July 25, 2023, Officers with the CCPD Gang Unit and U.S Marshals Gulf Coast Violent Offenders and Fugitive Task Force arrested Ramondo Stewart for two active warrants, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon with a $500,000.00 bond, and Murder with a $500,000.00 bond. He was transported to the City Detention Center for booking.

Corpus Christi Police Detectives would like your help in identifying a suspect in a Theft and Credit Card Abuse Case that occurred on July 20, 2023.

On July 20th a victim’s wallet was stolen from a south side gym. Later the suspect used several credit cards to purchase items at a local business.

If you have any information about these crimes or the suspect, please call our Criminal Investigation Division at 361-886-2840

You may also call Crime Stoppers at 361-888-TIPS or submit the information online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=. Information provided to Crime Stoppers is anonymous and if the information leads to an arrest, it could earn you a cash reward.

On Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 17-year-old Victor Martinez shot 49-year-old Harold Dilger, while burglarizing his vehicle on the 5900 block of Norvel. Victor Martinez fled the scene prior to the officer’s arrival and the victim was transported to the hospital with life threatening injuries.

Detectives responded to the scene to investigate and on May 10, 2023, Victor Martinez was placed into custody for Aggravated Robbery. Victor was able to bond out on the original charge of Aggravated Robbery on May 20, 2023.

Friday June 2, 2023, Harold passed away due to his injuries and Robbery Homicide Detectives secured a Capital Murder arrest warrant for Victor with a $750,000.00 bond.

United States Marshal Service Gulf Coast Violent Offender & Fugitive Task Force along with the CCPD Crime Reduction Unit were able to locate Victor and place him into custody on the new warrant.

The U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Violent Offenders and Fugitive Task Force, Corpus Christi Office, is seeking assistance in locating 20-year-old fugitive Jose Garcia.

Fugitive Jose Garcia was charged with murder on October 30, 2020. The victim was 14 years old. On October 7, 2021, while on bond fugitive Jose Garcia broke his ankle monitor and has been wanted since then.

It is believed fugitive Jose Garcia whereabouts continue to be in the Corpus Christi area.

The U.S. Marshal elevated this case to Major Case status and is offering a reward up to $5,000.00 for information leading to the arrest of fugitive Jose Garcia.

Fugitive Jose Garcia is described as 5’3” FT and approximately 100 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.

If you know how to locate Rios, call Crime Stoppers at (361)888-TIPS (8477) or submit the information online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=. The information you provide to Crime Stoppers is anonymous and if the information leads to an arrest, it could earn you a cash reward.

You may also contact the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Fugitives Task Force at (361) 267-6500.

Corpus Christi Police Detectives would like your help in identifying a suspect in an Aggravated Robbery Case that occurred on May 1, 2023.

On May 1, 2023, Officers contacted the victim on the 2400 block of Mansheim Blvd. The victim was assaulted and robbed for an undisclosed amount of money.  

If you have any information about this crime or the suspect, please call our Criminal Investigations Division at 361-886-2840.

You may also call Crime Stoppers at 361-888-TIPS or submit the information online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=. Information provided to Crime Stoppers is anonymous and if the information leads to an arrest, it could earn you a cash reward.

As you enjoy the festivities of Buc Days, CCPD’s Auto Theft Unit wants to remind you to always lock your cars, take your keys with you, and never leave valuables in plain sight. Stay safe during the festival, and always remember: If You Like It, Lock It! 

#IfYouLikeItLockIt #LockItDownTexas #SafetyTips