All posts by Capt. Ed Shannon

Bravo District

Possible Amber Alert Vehicle Sighting

On Wednesday 2/8/12, at about 1:00 PM, the Corpus Christi Police Department received a phone call about a possible Amber Alert sighting.  The male caller advised that he receives Amber Alert texts on his phone, and that he believed he spotted an Amber Alert vehicle in Corpus Christi.  The caller was not following the vehicle and called it in a few minutes after the possible sighting.  He stated that he saw the vehicle turning onto Ennis Joslin, toward Ocean Dr, from the SPID access road.

The caller was not positive it was the same vehicle but did give the description of the car and the last three numbers of the license plate.

Officers responded to the area of Ennis Joslin and SPID.  The responding Officers checked the area but were not able to locate any vehicle resembling the Amber Alert suspect vehicle.

All Corpus Christi Patrol Officers were made aware of the possible sighting, and continue to look for the suspect vehicle.

The Corpus Christi Police Department has been in contact with the Ft. Worth Police Department to discuss the Amber Alert, which is still active. 

The suspect vehicle is a 2007 Silver Mazda CX9, Texas License Plate BMZ390.  The driver of the vehicle, Kimberly Smith, is wanted and should be considered armed and dangerous. 

If anyone spots the vehicle, Kimberly or Jessica Smith, please call 911 immediately.

More information can be found at www.amberalert.com  

Community Outreach

2nd Annual “Hoops for Blue Scholars”

Hoops for Blue Scholars

In an effort to raise money for a scholarship designed to help Corpus Christi Police Officers, the Corpus Christi Police Department and Texas A&M University Corpus Christi have teamed up once again.

On Saturday February 11, 2012, the 2nd Annual “Hoops for Scholars” basketball game will be played.  The TAMUCC Islander men’s basketball team will be playing Sam Houston State Bearkats in a Conference game at the American Bank Center.  As a way to raise money for the Scholarship, a ‘pledge per basket’ system has been set up. 

If someone pledges $2.00 per basket (two & three pointers only), and the Islanders make 23 baskets, the total donation would be $46.00.  The more the Islanders score, the more money that goes into the scholarship.  The ability to make a one-time donation is also available.  

The Scholarship is beneficial to the men and women who serve the Corpus Christi community, risking their lives to keep others safe.  The children of Corpus Christi Police Officers can also apply for the scholarship.

Please make a pledge and join us at the game.  This will be easy to do, since those who pledge get a free ticket.  The game should be an exciting rematch to the January 21st game where the Islanders beat the Bearkats, 50-to-49, in Huntsville after a last second jump shot.  The Islander victory came after overcoming a 16-point lead by the Bearkats in the 2nd half.

Come out and help Corpus Christi Police Officers cheer for the Islanders.

Make a pledge or get more information on the TAMUCC Website: http://hoops.tamucc.edu/

TAMUCC Islanders -vs- Sam Houston State Bearkats

Day:  Saturday February 11, 2012

Time:  1:00 PM

Location:  American Bank Center

Charlie District

Bar Fight

Occurred 1/22/12, 2:12 AM      Aggravated Assault      5413 S. Staples      1201220024

Officers responded to a fight in the parking lot of the Aloha Club and found three victims.  Two of the victims, 49 and 23-year-old males, exited the club and saw the third victim, a 22-year-old male, being assaulted by several other men.  The two stepped in to help the third and they were also assaulted. 

When the group of hooligans heard the police sirens, they ran away.  Responding Officers were able to locate two of the men scurrying from the club and escorted them back to the bar where they were identified as being involved in the assault.  These men, Daniel Marvin 8.9.74 and Pablo Quintero 9.17.75, were arrested for Aggravated Assault and taken to jail.

Two of the three victims were struck in the head with bottles and the 22-year-old victim was transported to the hospital for stitches. 

Community Outreach

Veterans Meeting in Corpus Christi

Caring for our Military Heroes

On Saturday morning, January 21, 2012, Interim Chief Richard Badaracco and Senior Officer Denise Pace represented the Corpus Christi Police Department during a panel discussion about our Nations military veterans.  Topics that were discussed included the Peace Tree Project of South Texas, and Veterans Village.

The Peace Tree Project of South Texas donates a live tree to surviving family members of soldiers killed.  The Project motto: “Strengthening the Roots of America; One U.S. Fallen Hero’s Family at a Time.”  The tree is both a gift of thanks and honor, but also a symbol of remembrance.  These trees have been donated to families all over the Coastal Bend to include Corpus Christi, Portland, Robstown, Mathis and Orange Grove.

Lft to Rt: Interim Chief Badaracco, Sr. Officer Pace, Nadia McCaffrey

The topic of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) included news that WWII veterans coming home from a war zone would live on a military base for a period of about one month, during which time they would re-adjust to life outside a combat zone.  Veterans today can be back at their own house within forty-eight hours of being in a combat zone.  A lack of ‘decompression’ can enhance PTSD.

Veterans Village, a project started by Nadia McCaffrey who was at the meeting, is a place for veterans to turn when struggling to re-adjust to life at home.  “It’s not about politics…the right or the left” McCaffrey said, “it’s about the men and women who served.”  McCaffrey’s son Patrick was killed in Iraq in June of 2004.  Information about Veterans Village can be found at: http://www.veteransvillage.org/

Lft to Rt: Interim Chief Badaracco, Commisioner Gonzalez

The purpose of the Saturday morning’s meeting was to bring current veteran topics and issues to the table.  In addition to the Corpus Christi Police Department, attendees at the meeting included representatives from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the Nueces County District Attorney’s Office, and Del Mar College.  Texas Congressman Todd Hunter and Nueces County Commissioner Joe A. Gonzalez were also in attendance.

The Corpus Christi Police Department was honored to be able to participate in such a noble venue.

Bravo District

Stabbing

Occurred 1/20/12 at 10:55 PM      Aggravated Assault      722 NAS Dr.      1201200172

After responding to a local tavern for a stabbing call, Officers contacted witnesses who reported two men were arguing and began fighting.  Officers then contacted a 41-year-old male who had been stabbed in the abdomen.  The victim and witnesses gave Officers a great description of the suspect and vehicle the suspect left in, a blue van with a luggage rack on top.  The description of the vehicle included the license plate number.

The victim was taken to Spohn Memorial Hospital.

Patrol Officers who had heard the vehicle description on the radio, observed the ‘suspect vehicle and stopped it at South Padre Island Dr and Airline Rd.  In the vehicle, Officers contacted a male fitting the description of the suspect and identified him as Brian Williams 4.10.74.  Williams was arrested for Aggravated Assault. 

Officers also contacted Julia Alaniz 10.25.72, who was driving the van.  Alaniz appeared intoxicated and was arrested for DWI (1201200176).

Charlie District, Criminal Investigations Division

Missing Children

Occurred 1/21/12 at 9:06 AM           4500 Hogan            Missing Children           1201210046, 1201210051

At about 9:06 AM, Officers were called to the 4500 block of Hogan Dr, responding to the report of two missing children.  When they arrived, they contacted a foster mother who stated the two children, 8-year-old Diamond Boortz, and 6-year-old Billy Boortz were not in their room when she woke up at about 8:30.  Another foster child at the home said Diamond told him this morning that the foster-mother was mean and that she and her brother were going back to their grandmother’s house in Alice, TX.  The two children then left the home through a window. 

The foster-mother, upon realizing the two were missing, drove around the neighborhood looking for the children and when she did not find them, she returned home and called the Police.  When Officers arrived at the home, the foster-mother stated the two children were placed in her home by Child Protective Services one day earlier (1/20/12).

The two children were described as follows:

Diamond Boortz: 8-years-old, 4 foot tall, 60 pounds, brown hair and eyes, dressed in a pink robe

Billy Boortz: 6-years-old, 3 foot 6 inches tall, 40 pounds, brown hair, dressed in green pajamas (pants and shirt).

Although there was no reason to suspect foul play, the Corpus Christi Police Department called out both Homicide and Family Violence Detectives to initiate a full investigation and promptly locate the children.  This complimented the many Patrol Officers who were already canvassing the neighborhood looking for the children.

Through a partnership with the local news media, information about the missing children was immediately distributed to the community.

Working with Child Protective Services, the Corpus Christi Police Department contacted the Alice Police Department.  Alice Police went to the grandmothers’ home and located Diamond and Billy; both were safe and unharmed.

Detectives have discovered that the children were contacted by a 37-year-old ‘good-Samaritan.’  This individual observed the children walking in the area of Bratton Rd and Weber and stopped to ask them if they were okay.  Diamond told him they needed to call their grandmother, and then gave him the number to call.  The grandmother was contacted and drove to the location to pick up the children.

Child Protective Services has taken over the case and will determine where the children will go from this point further.  At this time, no criminal charges will be filed by the Corpus Christi Police Department on anyone involved. 

The Corpus Christi Police Department would like to remind everyone: If you see someone or something suspicious, please call us to investigate.  The CCPD non-emergency number is 361-886-2600.

The Corpus Christi Police Department would like to issue a special thanks to the Corpus Christi Caller Times, KIIITV, KRIS, and KZTV.  All responded immediately to the scene to assist the Corpus Christi Police Department in the search for these missing children.

Narcotics/Vice Division

Search Warrant

Occurred 1/20/12, 3:00 PM Search Warrant 4701 Ayers 1201200086

                             

Narcotics Investigators executed a search warrant today as a result of ongoing undercover investigation. During the course of the search, some marijuana was located. As a result, two men identified as Noe Villarreal 8.23.90 and Paul Orta 7.20.89 were arrested.

Narcotics Investigators are continuing with this investigation; therefore, no further information will be released at this time.

Bravo District, Traffic Safety Division

Intoxication Assault Arrest

Occurred 1/19/12 at 4:35 PM      Warrant for Intoxication Assault      1201190093

On September 22, 2011, at 11:17 PM, Officer responded to a head on collision at the intersection of Rodd Field Road and Yorktown Blvd (C1106840).  Richard Williams 6.5.76, who was driving a 2005 Toyota Tundra had driven into the oncoming lane of traffic and struck a 2002 GMC Pickup.  Both Williams and the driver of the other vehicle were injured and Williams appeared intoxicated.  Although Williams was not arrested due to his injuries, Officers initiated an Intoxication Assault investigation (1109220172).  Williams’s blood was tested and the results of that test indicated that he was indeed intoxicated at the time of the crash.  After receiving the blood results, Officers with the Traffic Division obtained a warrant for Williams arrest for Intoxication Assault.  This charge is a 3rd Degree Felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. 

On 1/19/12, Officers were able to locate and arrest Williams in the 6200 Block of Saratoga Blvd.

Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division

Report the Paint

Citizens of Corpus Christi as well as the Graffiti Task Force have seen a sharp increase in graffiti vandalism during the past several months.   The Customer Call Center is also seeing an increase in cases of graffiti being reported.

At this time, the Graffiti Task Force would like to provide the public with some information concerning the process for handling graffiti cases.  Police officers should only be called to take a police report concerning graffiti if it is on a vehicle, there are implements left behind that can be used as evidence, the graffiti vandal can be positively identified, or if multiple locations have been vandalized such as an entire neighborhood.  All other incidents of graffiti should be reported through the Customer Call Center (826-2489) or by going on-line to www.cctexas.com/graffiti .  Once this is done, we will have documentation of the incident on file.    Our Graffiti Removal Team will remove the graffiti, take photographs of the vandalism and forward the photos to the Graffiti Task Force for analysis. 

Many citizens are not aware that the City of Corpus Christi cannot remove graffiti from private property unless consent is on file from the property owner.   Consent can be given by the owner or resident by  either requesting a consent form be sent to them when they report the graffiti to the customer call center representative or by going on-line at www.cctexas.com/graffiti and submitting a Graffiti Consent Form.   Consent is indefinite until revoked by sending written notice of the revocation to the Corpus Christi Police Department.  In other words, fill out one consent form and you never have to fill out another one as long as you occupy the property.  It is the owner or resident’s responsibility to report graffiti on their property each time it occurs to the Call Center or by going on-line. 

Graffiti on private property, without consent on file, can only be removed if a placard or notice is placed on the property.  Graffiti will be removed after seven days if the property owner or representative has not given their permission or consent.  Graffiti at placarded locations can only be removed once and the private properties have to be placarded each time they have graffiti.  No permission is needed to remove graffiti from city property.

We hope that this information is helpful in explaining the process by which we handle graffiti.  The Graffiti Task Force can be reached by calling 361-886-2788.

Delta District

Stay In Your Car

Occurred 1/20/12, 1:40AM      Traffic Accident      11900 Leopard      C1200422

Officer responded to a traffic accident where a black 2007 BMW Sedan had run into a power pole after leaving the roadway.  The pole and power lines came down on top of the car.  Although the 26-year-old male driver and 21-year-old female passenger were uninjured, they remained in the car.  CCPD Traffic Division Capt. Vesely stated that if there are live wires on a car, the safest course of action is to remain in the car until the power company and Fire/Rescue responders can cut the power off and remove the occupants safely.  That is exactly what happened in this situation.  AEP responders told Officers at the scene that the accident caused a power outage to about six homes in the area and that power should be restored by mid-morning.

Investigating Officers believe the accident was caused by a distraction in the car.