Date: Monday, June 28, 2021 6:52 A.M.
Location: 3800 block of Caravelle Pkwy
Offense: Theft of Metal
Case Number: 2106280030

At approximately 6:52 am on Monday, June 28, 2021, officers were dispatched to an officer involved shooting.

Upon arrival, it was determined that an officer was walking through the parking lot, observed a male under a vehicle attempting to cut off a catalytic converter.  The officer engaged the subject and as he attempted to take the subject into custody, a struggle ensued.  While the officer was engaged in a struggle with the male, a second subject approached the officer and produced a handgun.  The officer disengaged the first subject and subsequently engaged the second subject, the subject was shot. The subject was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. 

The initial subject fled on foot and is still outstanding at the moment. 

This is still an active and ongoing investigation.

One Corpus Christi Police Officer has been placed on paid administrative leave at this time, in accordance with current department practice and policy.

This is still an active and ongoing investigation. If you have any information pertaining to this incident, you are encouraged to call the Corpus Christi Police Department Criminal Investigations Division 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=.

DATE: Thursday, June 24, 2021
Location: 4200 block of Baldwin
Case Number: 2106240022

At approximately 5:31 PM on June 24, 2021, Officers were dispatched to assist an outside agency that was involved in a vehicle pursuit.   Preliminary information provided that the suspect was involved in a kidnapping that occurred outside of our jurisdiction.  Information was updated to provide that an adult female and minor child were kidnapped out of Oklahoma and were being held against their will. 

CCPD officers paralleled the pursuing agencies and officers attempted to disable the vehicle by method of spikes.  The spikes were effective and shortly after, the vehicle came to a stop on the 4200 block Baldwin, at which point the suspect entered a restaurant, taking the minor child as a hostage.  The female was able to escape the vehicle and run to officers for safety.  Witnesses advised that upon entering the restaurant the male discharged his firearm and demanded that everyone exit.   

Officers from our SWAT and HNT Units were called out to assist and they immediately began dialogue with the male.   Members from our HNT Unit continued to communicate with the male in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.  At approximately 8:16 pm the male ceased communication with our negotiators and used his own handgun to shoot himself.  SWAT members immediately entered the building and secured the minor child and administered life-saving efforts for the male.     At last update the male was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.    

We want to thank our officers for their excellent work.  An extremely dangerous situation, which could have led to the death of a minor child as well as multiple casualties of bystanders, was brought to some resolution. 

We also want to thank our partners with Texas DPS, US Marshals and FBI for their assistance.

Each month we will highlight a different division within our department. This will help you understand a little about the duties and services we provide.

This month we speak with Mental Health Officer Shawn Barnes, to learn about out his position on the Crisis Intervention Team.

Please watch this video to learn more about the services provided by our Crisis Intervention Team Officers.

Pursuant to Texas Transportation Code 683.012, Abandoned Motor Vehicles, notice is herby given to the last known registered owner(s) and any lien holder(s) of the vehicle listed below, that unless the vehicle is recovered and removed by 07/20/2021, it will be deemed abandoned, invoking provisions of TX Transportation Code Chapter 683 Abandoned Motor Vehicles and City Code Chapter 17, Article 3, Division 2.  Failure of Registered Owner and/or Lien Holder to exercise their right to reclaim and remove this vehicle by 07/20/2021 constitutes: a waiver of all right, title and interest as well as consent to the removal and disposal of the vehicle. 

25-foot Travel Trailer unknown date, make, model located at 8400 Sedwick Rd, Corpus Christi, Texas 78409. 

For further information contact: 
Corpus Christi Police Department Vehicle Impound
5845 Greenwood Drive
Corpus Christi, Texas 78417
361-857-1996 or 361-857-1997

An anti-prostitution sting conducted by the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division on Monday, June 21, 2021, resulted in the arrest of nine men on charges of prostitution (Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and fines up to $2,000). The men were arrested after they solicited an undercover CCPD Officer, posing as a prostitute, for sex acts in exchange for money. The operation targeted several neighborhoods frequented by prostitutes.

NVID Detectives were assisted in the operation by Uniform Division Officers, as well as civilians with the Red Cord Program. The Red Cord Program is a prostitution diversion program aimed to provide practical and emotional support for those involved in prostitution. The program is successful due to the collaboration between Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation, social service organizations, Nueces County District Attorney Office, and Corpus Christi Police Department. The Red Cord program affords those involved with sex work an opportunity to address the myriad of behavioral, social, and psychological problems they have faced throughout their lifetime. Since 2013, Red Cord has provided case management, health services, job training, substance abuse treatment, clothing, housing, counseling, and other social services needed to address the circumstances related to their involvement in prostitution. Participants who successfully complete the program have their cases dismissed by the District Attorney’s Office.

The men arrested during Monday’s operation will be required to attend a mandatory prostitution diversion education program at their expense. This program educates men about the negative consequences of prostitution, circumstances that may lead someone to purchase sex, and the impact they have on the individual they attempt to solicit sex from in exchange for money. The fees raised from this program are then used to provide some of the resources mentioned above, to assist women seeking to escape the bondage of prostitution.

Although often inaccurately referred to as a “victimless” crime, prostitution is inextricably linked to multiple other crimes including assault, human trafficking, sexual abuse, drug abuse, and the spread of sexually transmitted infectious disease. Neighborhoods where prostitution is prevalent experience a drastic degradation of the quality of life that citizens expect and deserve. The Corpus Christi Police Department will continue to collaborate with all government and private entities to combat prostitution and help accomplish our mission of working with the community to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and enhance public safety.

Nueces County Sheriff’s Office is asking for your help to locate Ricardo Garcia who has an outstanding warrant out of Bexar County for Assault Family Violence-Choking (No Bond) and two additional warrants out of Nueces County for Evading Arrest with Previous Convictions ($50,000 Bond) and Assault Family Violence with Previous Convictions ($30,000 Bond).

Garcia is described as a 38-year-old male, who stands 5’05” feet, weighs approximately 150 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

If you know how to locate Garcia, call Crime Stoppers at (361)888-TIPS (8477) or submit the information online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=. The information you provide to Crime Stoppers is anonymous and if the information leads to an arrest, it could earn you a cash reward.

You may also contact the Nueces County Sheriff’s Office at (361) 887-2239 or (361) 887-2219 after 5:00 pm.

Date: Thursday, June 17, 2021
Location:  4900 block of S Staples
Offense: Aggravated Robbery
Case Number: 2106170068, 2106170090, 2106170140

Two offenders have been arrested in connection with an aggravated robbery.

At approximately 1:01 pm on Thursday, June 17, 2021, officers were dispatched to the 4900 block of S Staples for an Aggravated Robbery.  The victim advised that the suspects approached her, displayed a handgun and demanded personal property.

At approximately 2:57 pm on the same date, officers were notified that the stolen credit cards were being used at several businesses on the 5400 block of S Padre Island Drive.  Officers reviewed surveillance footage from the stolen credit card purchases and a short time later officers observed the male suspects in the area. 

Officers made contact with 19-year-old David Guzman and 17-year-old Matthew Henry. Both suspects were positively identified by the victim and they were subsequently taken into custody.  The suspects were found in possession of the victims stolen property, which was recovered and later returned to the victim.  Officers also located two handguns as well as the suspect vehicle which returned as stolen from another jurisdiction, it was also recovered.   

19-year-old Guzman was charged with Aggravated Robbery, Credit Card Abuse, Failure to Identify as Fugitive, one warrant out of San Pat County for Parole Violation for Theft of Firearm, and five outstanding warrants out of San Pat County for Burglary of Motor Vehicle. 

17-year-old Henry was charged Aggravated Robbery, Credit Card Abuse, Unlawful Carrying of Weapon, UUMV-Stolen out of Jurisdiction, and an outstanding warrant for Parole Violation for Intimidation. 

If you have any additional information about this crime, call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the information online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=. Crime Stoppers guarantees to keep your identity anonymous and if the information leads to an arrest, it could earn you a cash reward of up to $2,500.

A local man has been ordered to federal prison for conspiring to entice a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography. 

53-year-old Santos Gonzalez pleaded guilty on March 2, 2021.  On May 28, 2021, U.S. District Court Judge Drew B. Tipton sentenced Gonzalez to 420 months in prison. 

At the time of his plea, Gonzalez admitted to soliciting co-defendant Diana Martinez to produce and send illicit photographs of a minor victim. 

Forensic analysis of accounts belonging to Gonzalez and Martinez revealed they communicated between Jan. 21, 2016, and May 20, 2020. Throughout the thousands of pages of communication, Gonzalez expressed wanting to have sexual intercourse with the minor victim. Gonzalez would offer food, groceries, gifts, and other items of monetary value in exchange for Martinez sending nude photographs of the child.

Eventually, Gonzalez no longer used Martinez as an intermediary, directly soliciting the minor victim for sex.

Gonzalez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Martinez is scheduled to be sentenced July 28 before Judge Tipton.

Corpus Christi Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit along with Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation, with assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Date: Friday, June 04, 2021
Offense: Capital Murder, Injury to a Child
Case Number: 2106040079

At approximately 4:33 pm on Friday, June 04, 2021, officers were dispatched to a local hospital reference an injury to a child.

When the officers arrived, they were advised that a 4-year-old child was being treated for life-threatening injuries. Officers were later updated that the child passed from his injuries.

Detectives with the Family Violence Section of the Criminal Investigation Division continued their investigation and on June 09, 2021, two warrants were applied for and secured: one for the mother’s boyfriend, 27-year-old Ezekiel Ramirez and a second warrant for the mother of the child, 27-year-old Bethany Longoria.

On June 09, 2021, Ezekiel Ramirez was arrested on the outstanding warrant for Murder ($750,00 Bond). Ezekiel was interviewed by Investigators and was later transported to the City Detention Center for processing.

On June 09, 2021, Bethany Longoria was arrested on the outstanding warrant for Injury to a Child by Omission ($750,000 Bond). Bethany was interviewed by Investigators and was later transported to the City Detention Center for processing.

This is still an active and ongoing investigation. If you have any information pertaining to this incident, you are encouraged to call 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=.

Date: May 10, 2021
Offense: Injury to a Child
Location: 6400 Block of Weber
Case Number: 2105100100

At approximately 3:05 pm on Monday May 10th officers were dispatched to the 6400 block of Weber for an unconscious infant.

When the officers arrived, they located a 1-year-old child who was not responsive. Officers attempted to provide life-saving measures before medics arrived and transported the child to a local hospital, where she later passed from her injuries.

Detectives with the Family Violence Section of the Criminal Investigation Division responded to the scene in an effort to investigate. During the investigation they discovered enough cause to arrest the mother’s boyfriend, 31-year-old Mark Hernandez, for Injury to a Child.

Investigators continued their investigation and on June 06, 2021, a warrant was applied for and secured for the mother of the child, 23-year-old Briana Garcia.

On June 09, 2021, Briana Garcia was arrested on the outstanding warrant for Injury to a Child by Omission ($500,00 Bond). Briana was interviewed by Investigators and was later transported to the City Detention Center for processing.

This is still an active and ongoing investigation. If you have any information pertaining to this incident, you are encouraged to call 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=.