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The Corpus Christi Police Department will hold a Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, January 18th at the Seashore Middle Academy located at 15437 S. Padre Island Drive. The event will begin at 3:00 p.m.
Detectives with the Child Crimes Unit will be on hand to discuss the recent Attempted Kidnapping along with sharing information on how to keep your children safe.
Date: Wednesday, January 15, 2014, 17:24
Location: 13700 Hawksnest Bay Drive http://goo.gl/maps/lIIxr Offense: Attempted Kidnapping (Penal Code Section 20.04) 1st Degree Felony Case Number: 1401150105
A 44-year-old woman reported an attempted kidnapping on the 13700 block of Hawksnest Bay to Corpus Christi Police Wednesday. The 44-year-old woman told Officers her 13-year-old son explained to her that a man in a truck approached him while he walked home at 5:20pm. The 44-year-old woman told Officers her son said the man demanded the boy get into the truck. The 44-year-old woman told Officers her son ran home to call police and the vehicle went east on Hawksnest Bay toward Gypsy. The 13-year-old boy described the truck to Officers as a gray Ford F-150 with a rounded front end and a red square shaped decal on the upper driver’s side rear window and then described the man as about 40 years of age with a mustache and medium brown skin.
Floyd Simpson, Corpus Christi Chief of Police (2nd from left) receives the 2013 Outstanding Investigative Effort Award. Also pictured is Captain David Cook (3rd from left), Supervisor of the Narcotics/Vice Division.The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Program (HIDTA) is a grant based program under the Office of National Drug Control Policy designed to bring local, state and federal law enforcement agencies together into cooperative, collaborative drug task forces with the goal of targeting Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs) at the source of these illicit drug networks.
The Houston HIDTA is one of more than 30 HIDTAs around the country, and its focus is on the Texas coastal region. The Houston HIDTA operates 8 Enforcement Initiatives and 3 Intelligence Initiatives in this region. One of the Enforcement Initiatives in the Houston HIDTA is the Texas Coastal Corridor Initiative (TCCI). TCCI is a multi-agency task force with an area of responsibility encompassing 17 South Texas coastal counties that include: Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Calhoun, DeWitt, Duval, Goliad, Jackson, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Lavaca, Live Oak, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, and Victoria. The TCCI continues to focus investigative efforts on sophisticated DTOs responsible for the importation and distribution of vast quantities of drugs from Mexico into the United States. Due to a combination of geographic, demographic, and economic factors, the porosity of the Texas/Mexico border continues to allow a constant flow of drugs into Texas with destinations throughout the United States and Canada. Geographic proximity to Mexico, maritime and highway transportation infrastructure, and international trade continue to contribute to the use of South Texas as a major transshipment corridor and staging/distribution depot for drugs arriving from Mexico.
On Thursday, January 16, 2014, Mike Gotlieb, National Director of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking attended the January Houston HIDTA Executive Board meeting, and presented representatives of the TCCI with the 2013 Outstanding Investigative Effort Award. The 2013 accomplishments noted by Director Gotlieb include:
The TCCI generated 397 new cases, made 467 arrests, indicted an additional 176 drug traffickers subsequent to further investigation and passed 387 leads to other Law Enforcement agencies and HIDTAs. TCCI seized approximately 71,503 Kilograms (Kg) of marijuana, 497 Kg of cocaine, 172 Kg of methamphetamine, 32 Kg of Heroin, and 96 Kg of Ice. The approximate street value of the drugs seized and removed from the flow of narcotics distribution and trafficking is in excess of $104,844,481. In addition, the TCCI seized approximately $6,000,000 in U.S. currency, real property, vehicles, weapons and ammunition. Through the TCCI’s interdiction efforts, 13 drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) were identified, 11 cases were approved as Priority Targets Organizations and 2 cases were developed into and approved as OCDEFT investigations. As a result of these efforts, the TCCI disrupted or dismantled 20 DTOs in 2013, 18 of which were operating on an International scale. Current intelligence research and sharing amongst TCCI AOR agencies are developing possible new strategies to identify persons, assets and locations for future interdiction efforts.
Director Gotlieb also presented the Houston HIDTA with the National HIDTA of the Year award, and the Houston HIDTA IT Manager David Henry was presented with the award for Outstanding Effort in Information Technology.
Operation Nice Guys: This was a multi-agency PTO investigation targeting members of a synthetic cannabinoids DTO. This DTO distributed approximately 28 kilograms of synthetic cannabinoids per month from a large auto sales company and two head shops owned by members of this organization in the TCCI AOR. This DTO laundered approximately $15,000 in illicit drug proceeds per month for several years through a car dealership and used a co-conspirator to structure approximately $700,000.00 of these proceeds to pay for suspects’ real and personal properties. Investigators in this case employed several tools and techniques to include pole cameras, undercover purchases of narcotics, photo surveillance and interviews. On May 31, 2013, the members of the TCCI along with agents and officers from their parent agencies conducted 6 search warrants, resulting in the dismantlement of the synthetic cannabinoids distribution organization. This 18-month Priority Target Organization investigation resulted in the arrest of five individuals and the seizure of five kilograms of synthetic cannabinoids. Also seized were $463,827.00 in U.S. currency, personal property (vehicles) valued at $393,628.00 and real property valued at $1.26 million.
On 01/03/14 at about 12:00 hours officers from the Narcotics Vice Investigations Division executed a search warrant at the PMI store located at 4902 Greenwood. The warrant was obtained after an ongoing investigation by undercover officers revealed that the store was running a continuing illegal gambling operation.
A search of the store netted a seizure of ten 8-liner machines, 2 quarter slider machines, the computer system which operated the 8-liner machines, a ticket printer for the machines, $897 cash and numerous illegal pipes that are used to smoke marijuana. The pipes that were seized had an approximate value $1,650.
The investigation is ongoing and charges of keeping a gambling place a class A misdemeanor are pending against the owner of the store. The store owner will additionally be cited for the illegal pipes.
Date: Wednesday, January 1, 2014 11:14 a.m. Location: 4600 Valdez https://goo.gl/maps/9I2xS Offense: Aggravated Assault Case Number: 1401010080
At 11:14 a.m. Officers were called to the 4600 block of Valdez for a shooting call. Upon arrival they located a 42-year-old male with what appeared to be gunshot wounds to his body. The victim was transported to Spohn Memorial by medic units and was taken into surgery.
Shortly thereafter Officers made contact with the person who was believed to be the suspect in the shooting and detained him. Officers were also able to recover a weapon that was possibly used in the assault. Detectives with the Robbery/Homicide Division arrived and interviewed witnesses from the scene along with the possible suspect. Detectives arrested Ashley Howze (B/M 8/9/1986) for the Aggravated Assault w/Deadly Weapon. He was taken to the City Detention Center and booked.
The initial indications are that the disturbance stemmed from an earlier family disturbance at another location. At last update the 42-year-old victim remained in critical condition.
We will update the blotter as we receive information on the case.
Anyone who knows any additional information about this crime should contact the Corpus Christi Police Department at 886-2840. Information about unsolved crimes may be provided to investigators anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or online at 888TIPS.com. Information provided to Crime Stoppers which results in an arrest may earn the caller a cash reward.
Search the website Crimereports.com to research all reported criminal activity in Corpus Christi.
New Year’s Eve 2013 was a busy night for Officers and staff of the Corpus Christi Police Department. The following are preliminary stats from December 31, 2013 to 6:00 a.m. on January 1, 2014.
Date: Friday, December 20, 2013, 9:20am Location: 4145 Alameda Street http://goo.gl/maps/C27Z6 Offense: Robbery Case Number: 1312200053
Corpus Christi Police are searching for a man who robbed the bank located at 4145 Alameda Street Friday morning. Corpus Christi Police responded to a complaint of a robbery at 9:20am and learned that a man who wore a camouflage mask, tan jacket, and gray pants, went into the bank while there were no customers inside. The man in the mask then demanded money from the clerk. No weapons were displayed, but the man put money in a shoebox and then walked out of the bank. No injuries were reported. Corpus Christi Police continue to search for the man and have uploaded a video clips of the suspect onto their CorpusChristi PD YouTube account at http://youtu.be/WklrnDK6CTY.
Anyone who knows who is responsible, or has any additional information about this crime should contact the Corpus Christi Police Robbery/Homicide Detectives at 886-2841. Anyone who would like to provide information to Detectives and keep their identity secret can call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the information online at http://www.888TIPS.com. Information provided to Crime Stoppers which leads to an arrest may earn the caller a cash reward up to $1,000 dollars.
On December 6, 2013, Corpus Christi Police detectives obtained two arrest warrants for Orlando Robles, DOB: 7-16-74, age 39, at his home in Rockport, Texas, for the offenses of Sexual Assault and Att. Sexual Assault. He has been charged in connection with the following:
· The Sexual Assault of a 19-year-old female on September 29, 2013, at 2401 S. Alameda St. at Louisiana Pkwy.
Bond: $1,000,000.
· The Attempted Sexual Assault of a 22-year-old female on September 30, 2013, at Leopard St. and Villa St.
Bond: $500,000.
He was transported to Corpus Christi where he was booked at the City Detention Center.
In light of recent events that have occurred in the 3500 block of Lariat Lane and in the 5300 of Greenbriar, representatives from the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Charlie District (south side) Patrol Division will hold a town hall meeting. The meeting will be this Wednesday (12/4/2013) at the CC Country Club located at 6300 Everhart Road. The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. All residents are invited to attend this meeting.
District Commander John Houston and Captain Ed Shannon along with staff will discuss the latest crime statistics for the areas of concern. In keeping with the mission of “Reducing Crime, Reducing the Fear of Crime and Enhancing Public Safety” this meeting will also include tips for safety of people and also of keeping homes secure.
Date: November 6, 2013, 10:05pm Location: 6425 SPID http://goo.gl/maps/0D9b1 Event: Aggravated Assault (P.C. 22.02) 2nd Degree Felony Case Number: 1311060144
Officers responded to 6425 SPID at Club Cheetah’s for an assault with injuries. Arriving officers observed the victim unconscious on the ground in front of the business. The victim stopped breathing and officers immediately began CPR until CCFD medics arrived. The victim was transported to Bay Area Medical Center.
Witnesses advised that there was a disturbance inside the club and all that were involved were asked to leave. The disturbance continued in the parking lot. The victim was punched in the head causing him to fall to the ground, knocking him unconscious. The suspects fled the scene before officers arrived. Detectives are following up on all possible leads in this case. The victim was later transported to MMC.
Date: November 7, 2013, 3:43pm Location: 5725 Curtis Clark http://goo.gl/maps/0Wh9K Event: Aggravated Assault Arrest Case Number: 1311060144
Officers E. Garza and M. Garanzuay went to 5725 Curtis Clark in reference to an arrest warrant for the aggravated assault at Club Cheetah’s. Officers contacted the resident and were given consent to search the home. Mark Booker (08/08/70) was found hiding in a closet under a pile of clothes. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the City Detention Center.
Case Update:
On 11-06-13, Jeffry Schexnider, (5-14-68), was punched outside the Cheetah’s nightclub, 6425 S. Padre Island Dr., and went unconscious after hitting his head on the pavement. That night, after evaluating his severe head injury, he was flown by Haloflight to a Hospital in San Antonio. Detectives investigating the case and were able to identify the offender as Mark Austin Booker, DOB: 8-8-70. He was arrested in connection with this case on 11-07-13. He remains in custody on a charge of Aggravated Assault, bond $100,000.
Today, November 21, 2013, Detectives were advised that Mr. Schexnider died from his injuries.
The investigating Detective will be consulting with the District Attorney’s office to discuss upgrading the current charge of Aggravated Assault to Murder.
Date: Monday, November 18, 2013, 19:18 Location: 2800 Ransom Island Drive http://goo.gl/maps/Y5alt Offense: Murder (Penal Code Section 19.02) 1st Degree Felony Case Number: 1311180146
Corpus Christi Police Detectives are investigating their 14th criminal homicide of 2013 that occurred in the 2800 block of Ransom Island Monday evening.
Corpus Christi Police responded to a call of a vehicle crash in the 2800 block of Ransom Island at 7:18pm Monday night. Officers arrived and discovered that there was no vehicle crash, but that a 23-year-old woman had injuries that appeared to be stab wounds. The woman was taken to the hospital by ambulance. Officers were later notified that the women had not survived her injuries sustained in the assault. Officers and Detectives secured the crime scene within the home of the victim, so that Forensics could process it for evidence.
Officers developed information that the person, who had stabbed the woman, was in fact her 57-year-old father. He was last seen driving away in a gold 2010 Nissan Altima. At 8:06 p.m. Officers received information that the suspect’s vehicle was at the Wal-Mart (1821 South Padre Island Drive) and was on fire. Officer’s arrived and found the suspect outside of the vehicle. The suspect was being treated for burns to his body by EMS. Officers secured the scene and consequently called for the Bomb Squad as a suspicious package had been found near the burning vehicle. Bomb Squad Officers retrieved the package and took it to a safe location for further examination. It was unknown if the package was related to the scene or had been there prior to the fire. The Bomb Squad cleared the scene and was made safe for Detectives to continue in their follow-up.
Detectives were informed Tuesday morning that the 57-year-old was transported to San Antonio for further treatment to his burns. He remains the sole suspect in the case but detectives will continue to investigate.
An autopsy is scheduled for later today by the Medical Examiner’s office.
Update: November 20, 2013: Detectives were informed that the 57-year-old man, Mulugeta Tirfe, died as a result of the burns at 6:07am. Detectives determined Tirfe was the only suspect in this homicide case and an autopsy will be conducted. Detectives continue to investigate this case and ask anyone with additional information to contact the Corpus Christi Police Detectives at 886-2741.
CCPD Blotter 
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