On May 16, 2025, at 12:57 am, Officers with the Corpus Christi Police Department were dispatched to a call in reference to an individual following his vehicle that had just been stolen.  The victim stated that he went to an ATM to make a transaction.  The victim exited his vehicle, but left the engine running.  While making the transaction, a female entered his vehicle and drove away.  A witness who observed the incident, assisted the victim in following the vehicle. 

Officers located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle, to which the driver refused to stop.  The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) assisted in stopping the SUV which ultimately came to a stop on the 1800 block of South Padre Island Drive.

33-year-old Shereka Phifer was medically cleared at a local hospital, and arrested and charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle (UUMV).

Detectives from the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division continued to put pressure on illicit gambling operations this week, serving three search warrants related to two separate illegal gambling establishments within the city limits. On Wednesday afternoon, NVID Detectives raided an unnamed game room on the 5200 block of Everhart Road. During the search, Detectives found and seized sixty items of illegal gambling equipment. Employee Yolanda Garcia, age 54, was arrested and charged with violation of the Nueces County Game Room Ordinance, Keeping a Gambling Place, Gambling Promotion, and Possession of a Gambling Device.

On Thursday afternoon NVID Detectives served a search warrant at a residence on the 3400 block of Pineda Street. There, Detectives found and seized several documents and electronic devices suspected to contain records from an illegal gambling operation. Detectives also seized over $3100 in US currency and arrested Yi Han, age 32, for violation of the Nueces County Game Room Ordinance, Keeping a Gambling Place, Gambling Promotion, and Possession of a Gambling Device. A subsequent search warrant at the Lucky Treasures Game Room in the 11100 block of Leopard Street resulted in the seizure of 54 items of illegal gambling equipment. Neither of the two game rooms were open for business at the time the search warrants were served, so no patrons were cited for gambling.

The two operations were the result of intensive, multi-month-long investigations into the businesses that uncovered evidence of illegal gambling. The two businesses do not appear to be connected, but the investigation continues into each, and additional charges and arrests are possible.

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. Investigators will continue to enforce all Texas gambling laws, which will help accomplish our mission to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and to improve the quality of life in our community.

The Corpus Christi Police Department Violent Crimes Unit Traffic Section continue arrests.

20-year-old Pedro Vaughn was arrested overnight for reckless driving, when he was observed doing burnouts and donuts in the 300 block of S. Shoreline.

33-year-old Clayton Randal was arrested for reckless driving when he was observed traveling over 100 mph on HWY 358 on his motorcycle.

31-year-old Joel Villa was arrested for reckless driving, when he was observed traveling over 85 mph in a 45-mph area in the 5200 block of SPID.  

This week the Violent Crimes Traffic enforcement continues.

23-year-old Matthew Mendoza was arrested for reckless driving and unlawful carrying of a weapon.

20-year-old Owen Martinez was arrested for reckless driving.

24-year-old Gowtham Kilaru was arrested for reckless driving.

These individuals were observed traveling more than 100 mph on Hwy 358, well over the posted speed limit. This behavior not only endangers their own lives, but also other innocent motorists on the roadway.

All vehicles involved were impounded.

The Corpus Christi Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division is investigating an allegation of an improper relationship between an educator and a student at a local high school.

Detectives were able to obtain statements and evidence and secure an arrest warrant for the offender.

On May 2, 2025, at 1:30 pm, Officers with the Corpus Christi Police Department arrested 49-year-old Amy Spence at a residence on the 1000 block of Nile Dr.

She was transported to the City Detention Center and charged with Improper relationship between educator and student.

This is still an active investigation.

Detectives with the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division dismantled yet another illicit gambling operation Thursday afternoon the city’s south side. Continuing their initiative to eliminate illegal gambling within the Corpus Christi city limits, NVID Detectives served a search warrant at the Pure Game Room, located on the 5800 block of South Staples Street, shortly after 2:00 pm yesterday. The search warrant was the conclusion of a months long investigation into the business that uncovered evidence of illegal gambling. During the search, Detectives found and seized 125 pieces of gambling equipment and over $12,000 in cash. Edward Gutierrez, age 29, Johnny Perales, age 56, Jamie Mott, age 21, were arrested and charged with gambling promotion, keeping a gambling place, possession of a gambling device, violation of the Nueces County Game Room Ordinance, and engaging in organized criminal activity. Melinda Delapaz, age 28, was charged with gambling promotion 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, while the other charges are class A misdemeanors. Thirteen adult patrons inside the game room were cited for gambling, a class C misdemeanor.

This investigation continues, and additional charges and arrests are likely. The Corpus Christi Police Department reminds citizens that game rooms which pay out cash rewards are engaging in illegal gambling. Patrons as well as the management of these establishments may face criminal charges.

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

On April 28, 2025, at 7:24 am, officers were dispatched to the 300 block of Foster Dr. in reference to a disturbance with a weapon, where a male entered a residence with a gun and was pointing the weapon at multiple people.

Officers quickly arrived at the location and set up a perimeter and requested SWAT to the location. 

Officers established communication with individuals in the residence and successfully called out two females and a male. 

Officers made entry into the residence to locate any individuals with possible injuries.  Inside the residence, Officers located one male with minor injuries.  The male was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.  

 20-year-old Dantril Anthony-Maurice Tapp-Hawkins and 31-year-old Rakim Ahmaad Sharkey were identified as the two males who entered the home. Both men were ultimately arrested for Burglary of a Habitation with intent to commit other felony, and Unlawful Restraint.

The Corpus Christi Police Department Traffic Division needs your assistance in identifying the driver and vehicle involved in this hit and run accident.

This incident occurred on April 18, 2025, at 10:46 pm in the 5200 block of Gollihar Rd. The vehicle struck a female pedestrian and fled the scene. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries.

If you have any information in reference to this incident, please call detectives at 361-886-2596. If you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 361-888-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?I

Corpus Christi Robbery Homicide Detectives need your assistance in identifying this robbery suspect.

On April 8, 2025, this male stole items from a store in the 1600 block of S. Staples St. and assaulted the owner in the process.

If you have any information in reference to this incident, please call detectives at 361-886-2840. If you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 361-888-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?I…

On April 9, 2025, at about 9:00 pm Robbery Homicide Detectives, Gang Unit and SWAT Team executed a search and arrest warrant for 32-year-old Alexander Lara at a residence in the 4400 block of Coventry Ln. Lara was safely taken into custody without incident.

Robbery Homicide Detectives received a Crime Stoppers tip that positively identified Lara as the offender for the aggravated robbery that occurred on March 16, 2025, at a local convenience store.

Lara was transported to the main police station for an interview. He was later taken to the city detention center where he was booked and charged for warrants: Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated assault w/deadly weapon 2X, and deadly conduct discharge firearm.

A firearm was located during the search.

Do you know of a crime or location of a wanted person. 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=. The information provided to Crime Stoppers is anonymous and if the information leads to an arrest, it could earn you a cash reward.