All posts by Senior Officer Antonio Contreras

INVESTIGATORS CONTINUE INTENSE SEARCH FOR MISSING PERSON CALEB HARRIS

Corpus Christi Police Department officers, along with their federal and state partners, continue to work diligently to solve the disappearance of Caleb Harris. Harris is the 21-year-old Texas A&M Corpus Christi student who vanished without a trace from his off-campus apartment during the foggy early morning hours of Monday, March 4th, 2024.

Following the initial exhaustive, but unsuccessful, search of hundreds of acres surrounding Harris’s apartment complex on the 1900 block of Ennis Joslin Drive, Criminal Investigation Detectives turned their efforts toward establishing a timeline for Harris in the hours and days preceding his sudden absence, interviewing his roommates, friends, family members and acquaintances. Detectives at this point in the investigation have no reason to suspect any of these individuals had anything to do with Harris’s disappearance. Officers then went door to door throughout his and an adjacent apartment complex, scouring the area for possible witnesses or surveillance video, as well as searching over thirty vacant apartments for the missing student.

An investigative team consisting of Investigators from the Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division and Organized Crime Unit, the FBI, and the United States Marshals Service, along with several civilian crime analysts was formed within days of Harris’s vanishing and continues to work full time to solve his disappearance. The team meets daily to share information from the previous day’s efforts, discuss possible leads, and plot the course of the investigation. This past Friday, the investigative team met at Police Headquarters with a squad of five Texas Rangers to share all information on the status of the case and seek any advice the Rangers could provide. The consensus from the Rangers was that the investigative team was pursuing the most logical course of action in this search and pledged their continued assistance and technical support to the team.

The CCPD wishes to assure the public that while the search for Caleb Harris may be less visible than the early days of this investigation, it is by no means less intense. Teams of Detectives continue to interview potential witnesses here in Corpus Christi and have traveled both to San Antonio and New Braunfels to conduct interviews. Detectives are continuously following up on tips, are chasing potential leads and will expend every effort until Caleb Harris is found.

Despite these exhaustive efforts, Investigators still have not settled upon a motive for Harris’s strange disappearance, nor identified a suspect or person of interest. Detectives are seeking assistance from the public to solve this case. If you have information regarding the disappearance of Caleb Harris, please contact the Corpus Christi Police Department at (361) 886-2840 or (361) 886-2600.

 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=.

FOUR CONVENIENCE STORES CAUGHT SELLING ALCOHOL TO MINORS DURING NVID MINOR STING

Detectives with the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division conducted an undercover operation Saturday evening, checking compliance at twenty-one beer and wine retailers across the city. Four of the retailers visited by Investigators sold alcoholic beverages to individuals under the age of 21. NVID’s goal is zero.

During the operation, two cooperating individuals, under the direction and close supervision of NVID Detectives attempted to purchase alcoholic beverages from various convenience stores throughout the city. All four individuals are over the age of eighteen but under twenty-one, the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages in Texas. The cooperating individuals did not possess fake driver licenses or identification. They were merely instructed to attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages and if asked for identification by the store clerk, to simply present their own valid identification. Of the twenty-one businesses checked by NVID, clerks at four of those stores sold alcoholic beverages to the underage operatives.

The store clerks who sold the alcoholic beverages, face a charge of Sale to Minors (TABC 106.3) a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $4000. NVID will forward the results of this operation to the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission for administrative action against the permittees, which could include revocation, suspension and/or fines.

Saturday’s operation was conducted in conjunction with the weekend’s anticipated large influx of Spring Breakers, as underage drinkers from colleges and high schools flock to Corpus Christi beaches to enjoy the sun and fun. The goal behind Saturday’s operation is to ensure that all Spring Break visitors to our city can enjoy their time here without the tragedy that often accompanies underage drinking. Alcohol is a common denominator in underage traffic fatalities, and frequently leads to numerous other negative consequences. NVID intends to conduct more of these operations in the near future, including repeat visits of previous offenders. NVID will send letters to all of the businesses that were inspected, including those that were in compliance. For those businesses that were not in compliance, future infractions will likely result in the immediate arrest of the offenders.

The Corpus Christi Police Department continues to collaborate with all government and private entities to combat underage drinking and help accomplish our mission of working with the community to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and enhance public safety.

Arrest on Lum St.

On March 8th, 2024, at about 4:25 PM the Corpus Christi Police Swat Team along with the Gang Unit executed a search warrant on a residence in the 900 block of Lum St.

During the investigation 20-year-old Erik Munoz was taken into custody for an outstanding warrant (FTA-Theft of Firearm, NO BOND). He was then transported to the City Detention Center for booking.

DETECTIVES NEED YOUR HELP IN LOCATING MISSING PERSON

**UPDATE** Alison Tackett has been located, as of March 13, 2024, at 3:00 pm. She is safe. Thank you to everyone who has shared this information.

Corpus Christi Police Detectives need your help in locating 24-year-old Alison Tackett. Alison was reported missing on February 22, 2024.

Alison was last seen by her mother on February 20, 2024. She was last seen wearing a multi-colored sweater and blue jeans. Alison is approximately 5’8” and weighs 150 pounds. She has red hair. Alison is in need of her prescription medication which she has not had in several weeks.

If you have any information that may assist investigators or know the whereabouts of Alison Tackett, please call the Corpus Christi Police Department directly at (361) 886-2840 or (361)886-2600.

OFF DUTY OFFICER INVOLVED IN SHOOTING

On March 8th, 2024, at about 3:31 Am an off duty CCPD officer called into dispatch he was following a suspect vehicle that had just burglarized his personal vehicle which was parked at his residence. The off-duty officer was woken up by his Ring camera.

The home was in a neighborhood behind the Crunch fitness Gym on S. Staples St.

While the off-duty officer was following the suspect vehicle, a suspect in the vehicle fired several shots at the off-duty officer. The suspect vehicle was followed to the dead end of S. Oso Parkway when it turned around. The off-duty officer exchanged gun fire with the suspect vehicle.

The suspect vehicle then fled the area.

On duty patrol officers located the suspect vehicle on Staples St. The suspect vehicle was followed and ultimately lost around S. Staples St. and Everhart Rd.

The suspect vehicle was described as a black Jeep SUV with a possible out of state license plate. It is unknown currently if the suspected vehicle is stolen.

There were no injuries sustained by the off-duty officer. It is unknown if anyone in the suspected vehicle was injured. The local hospitals were checked for any recent walk-in victim(s).

This is an active and ongoing investigation.  If you have any information, please contact the Corpus Christi Police Department at 361-886-2600. 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=.

HELP US LOCATE THIS MISSING PERSON

Corpus Christi Police Detectives need your help in locating 21-year-old Caleb Harris.

Caleb was last seen in the overnight hours on March 4, 2024, near his apartment complex in the 1900 block of Ennis Joslin. Later in the morning his roommates were unable to locate him.

Caleb’s family later reported him as missing. Caleb is approximately 5ft 11in tall and weighs about 180 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes. Caleb left behind his keys, vehicle, and wallet. Caleb did have his phone with him but is now turned off.

If you have any information that may assist Investigators or know the whereabouts of Caleb Harris, please call Corpus Christi Police Department directly by calling (361) 886-2840 or by calling (361) 886-2600.

ON SITE AUCTION SALE AND LIVE ONLINE (WEBCAST)

Date: Saturday, March 2, 2024

Time: 10:00 am (gates open at 8:00 am)

Location: 5485 Greenwood Dr. Corpus Christi Tx 78417

ON SITE AUCTION SALE AND LIVE ONLINE (WEBCAST)

REGISTRATION: visit https://siskauction.hibid.com/ to register and obtain further on-line auction instructions.

VIEWING: Friday, March 1, 2024, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Everyone must be registered and have a bidder number to enter the auction.

No purses or backpacks allowed in the auction area.

ABSOLUTELY no one under 18 allowed throughout the entire auction.  This includes viewing day, during the auction and while picking up auction vehicles.

75 Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles, ATV, Jet ski and MH

JUVENILE SUSPECT TURNS HIMSELF IN.

Update to the Monitor St. shooting that occurred February 12, 2024.

Saturday February 24, 2024, the 16-year-old male suspect turned himself into the main police station.

He has been booked into the Nueces County Juvenile Justice Center.

OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING ON 2900 BLOCK S.P.I.D

On February 22, 2024, at 11:33 pm, officers were dispatched to the 2900 block of South Padre Island Drive in reference to a burglary alarm. 

Officers arrived at the location and made contact with a male in a vehicle.  The male made furtive movements under the front seat and began reversing his vehicle towards the officers.  Three officers fired their duty weapons into the vehicle.  It is unknown at this time if the male was injured.  The male then fled the location in the vehicle. 

The unoccupied vehicle was found a short time later several miles from the scene.  Officers have not located the suspect and are actively searching for the male.  Officers are still working to positively identify the male, and we do not believe there to be a threat to the public. 

As per department policy, the involved officers will be placed on administrative leave. 

This is an active and ongoing investigation.  If you have any information, please contact the Corpus Christi Police Department at 361-886-2600. 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=

MONITOR ST. SHOOTING UPDATE

On Monday February 12, 2024, at about 4:56 Pm officers were dispatched to the 4800 block of Monitor St. in reference to a shooting.

When officers arrived, they located a 15-year-old male with a single gun shot wound. He was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries.

Robbery Homicide Detectives were called out to investigate the shooting.

Detectives were advised by hospital staff that the victim passed away on February 15, 2024.

Through the investigation, it was determined to be a Homicide.

On February 16, 2024, Detectives were able to secure a Directive to Apprehend for Murder for a 16-year-old male juvenile.

On February 20, 2024, the Corpus Christi Gang Unit arrested Cristal Juarez and Rodrigo Juarez on a Nueces County Warrant for Hinder Apprehension/Prosecution of Known felon. This is in connection with the juvenile death investigation.

As of February 21, 2024, the wanted juvenile male suspect has not been located or arrested.

If you have any information about this incident, please call the Corpus Christi Robbery Homicide Detectives 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=