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News/events from Corpus Christi Police. This site is not monitored. Call 911 for emergencies. Comments, list of followers subject to public disclosure.

MISSING PERSON

Update 5/19/25 at 3:53pm: Nicole has been located and is safe. Thank you for your help.

The Corpus Christi Police Department needs your help in locating missing person NICOLE GUEST.

Nicole was last seen leaving her residence in the 900 block of Airport Rd., this morning at approximately 4:45 am.

Nicole was last seen wearing a black hoodie sweatshirt and black pants. She is 18 years old, approximately 5’ ft tall and weighs about 130 pounds. She has brown hair and green eyes.  Nicole has also been diagnosed with autism.

If you see Nicole or know where she is please call 911, or non-emergency at 361-886-2600.

EARLY MORNING SHOOTING

On Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 4:40 am, Officers with the Corpus Christi Police Department were dispatched to a local hospital in reference to two individuals (18 year old male and 21 year old male) who walked into the hospital with gunshot wounds. Both victims are currently stable.

Preliminary investigation shows that a group of individuals, belonging to different car clubs, were gathered on the 100 block of Shoreline Blvd. when for unknown reasons, individuals began shooting at each other.

The safety and well being of our community remain our top priority. Incidents of this nature are taken very seriously and will be thoroughly investigated.

This scene is still actively working and anyone with information is asked to please call Corpus Christi Police Department Detectives at 361-886-2840. If you would like to remain anonymous, you may contact Crime Stoppers at 361-888-TIPS (8477) or submit the information online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=.

ANOTHER ONE!

On May 18, 2025, at about 2:30 am CCPD Violent Crimes Traffic unit observed an SUV traveling over 105 mph in the 4000 block of HWY 358 east bound. The vehicle changed lanes abruptly cutting off other motorists on the highway.

The SUV exited the highway, and officers were able to conduct a traffic stop near SPID and Airline Rd. The driver was then taken into custody.

42-year-old Ruben Contreras was arrested for reckless driving due to his disregard for the safety of other motorists. His vehicle was also impounded.

Contreras was transported to the City Detention Center for booking.

STOLEN VEHICLE ARREST

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).

NVID DETECTIVES RAID TWO MORE ILLEGAL GAMBLING ESTABLISHMENTS

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.

SPREAD THE WORD, TELL A FRIEND, SAVE A LIFE, ARRESTS CONTINUE

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.

VAUGHN

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

RANDAL

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.  

VILLA

Guess they haven’t heard

This week the Violent Crimes Traffic enforcement continues.

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

Mendoza

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

Martinez

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

Kilaru

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.

IMPROPER RELATIONSHIP LEADS TO ARREST

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.

FOUR ARRESTED FOLLOWING NVID RAID ON ILLEGAL SOUTH SIDE GAME ROOM

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.

EARLY MORNING DOUBLE ARREST

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.

TAPP-HAWKINS
SHARKEY