At approximately 8:38 am on Thursday, December 8, 2022, officers were dispatched to the 5800 block of S. Alameda reference a welfare check.

Upon arrival, officers located a 60-year-old adult male deceased on scene.  As with all unattended deaths, Investigators with our Robbery/Homicide Unit began an investigation. It was determined that the 60-year-old male was a victim of foul play.  

Through their investigation, Homicide Detectives followed up on several leads and were able to identify a suspect.  On Tuesday, January 3, 2023, Detectives were able to secure an arrest warrant for 42-year-old Phillip Cheatham for Murder ($750,000 Bond).

At approximately 6:15 pm on Friday, January 6, 2023, Officers with the US Marshals Gulf Coast Violent Offender Fugitive Task Force, along with Officers assigned to our Gang Unit, K-9 Unit, Traffic Unit and Patrol Officers located and took Cheatham into custody on the 4500 block of E Causeway, near HWY 181 access road, without incident. 

Cheatham was transported to the main station to be interviewed and was later transported to the City Detention Center for processing.

If you have any information about this murder, please call Corpus Christi Police Robbery & Homicide Detectives 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=.

Recently news media reported about an incident involving a juvenile female who was tragically killed. An inaccurate timeline is being provided, and we would like to clarify some of the facts about our response time.

CCPD’s hesitation to speak out on this was directly out of respect for the family; we do not want to bring further harm to the family, who is undoubtedly grieving.

We do not want a narrative that is not countered, that will ultimately relate to our public losing confidence in our 911 system. In an effort to provide clarity, we are providing the below timeline as related to this tragic incident that occurred on January 1, 2023.

· At 11:59:56 p.m., our 911 system received a call from the victim’s mother. A 911 Operator answered the call, noting there was silence, and the caller disconnected the phone.

· At 12:00:27 a.m., a 911 dispatcher called back on what was considered an incomplete 911 call, noting that the call went directly to voicemail.

· At 12:01:35 a.m., our 911 system received a call from a third party who advised that a juvenile had been shot. The caller immediately advised the caller-taker that Officers were on scene and disconnected the call.

We want to clarify that our officers were on the scene within less than 2 minutes of the shooting. Unfortunately, the parents had left the scene before officers could make contact. We want to reiterate that this is no fault of the family, they were making every effort to receive life-saving measures for their loved one.

Upon the arrival of officers on scene, they were notified by neighbors that the family had self-transported the victim to a local hospital but did not have specifics on their destination. Additional Patrol Officers went to each of our local hospitals to locate the victim. A series of unfortunate events delayed the family’s arrival at the hospital. Still, upon their arrival, they were met by officers who removed the victim from the vehicle and carried her into the hospital for medical care.

We have heard the concerns about calls being made to 911 going unanswered. We want to clarify that the emergency calls are being answered. 911 does not disconnect calls; the phone will continue to ring until a connection is made. If the caller abandons the call, a 911 call-taker will return the phone call.

The City of Corpus Christi is committed to maintaining the high level of service that the community expects and deserves.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family.

At approximately 12:01 am on Sunday, January 1, 2023, Officers were dispatched to the 6600 block of Everhart reference a shooting victim.  Upon arrival, Officers were updated that the victim was self-transported to a local hospital by family members.

Officers arrived at a local hospital as the victim was arriving.  Officers were later advised that the juvenile victim succumbed to her injuries. 

Investigators with our Criminal Investigation Division have worked diligently since the shooting to identify and locate the individuals responsible.  On this same date, Investigators were able to identify two offenders who illegally discharged their firearms in the direction of several habitations. 

On January 2, 2023, Detectives petitioned for, and secured arrests warrants for 29-year-old Deonis Poindexter and 43-year-old Jacob Leal. The warrants were for Deadly Conduct Discharging a Firearm (3rd degree felony-$75,000 bond). Charges may be upgraded at a later time, pending further investigation.

Both offenders were transported to the main police station to be interviewed, before being booked at the City Detention Center.  

If you have any information about this investigation, please call 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=.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

At approximately 12:01 am on Sunday, January 1, 2023, Officers were dispatched to the 6600 block of Everhart reference a shooting victim.  Upon arrival, Officers were updated that the victim was self-transported to a local hospital by family members.

Officers arrived at a local hospital as the victim was arriving.  Officers were later advised that the juvenile female succumbed to her injuries. 

Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division are actively investigating this incident.  If anyone has any information pertaining to this incident, you are urged to call 361-886-2600.  You may also 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.

December 26, 2022, to January 2, 2023, the Corpus Christi Police Department Central Records and Property Warehouse will be open for business but closed to the public.

Central Records and Property Warehouse will continue to complete requests for reports and releasing property by appointment only from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.

To get a copy of an offense report or crash report you may email Central Records at ccpdopenrecords@cctexas.com so that they may process your request.

If you need to collect property from the Property Warehouse, contact them at 361-886-2700 to set an appointment.

Continuing their campaign to eliminate illegal gambling within the Corpus Christi city limits, detectives with the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division served simultaneous search warrants Tuesday afternoon at two businesses on the city’s south side. Following a weeks-long investigation into the businesses that uncovered evidence of illegal gambling, detectives secured search warrants for two game rooms located in a strip mall on the 5300 block of Kostoryz Road. During the search, detectives seized gambling equipment, over $55,000 cash, and other evidence of illegal gambling. Two adult patrons contacted inside one of the game rooms were cited for Gambling, a Class C misdemeanor. Although not arrested at the time of the search warrant, the owner and manager face possible charges of Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, Gambling Promotion, Keeping a Gambling Place, and Possession of a Gambling Device. 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 three charges are class A misdemeanors.

This investigation continues, and additional arrests are possible. 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.

NVID Detectives were assisted in the operation by officers with the CCPD Operations Division and investigators with the State of Texas Comptroller’s Office, which regulates coin operated machines.

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.

United States Deputy Marshals are asking for your help to locate Alberto Fuentes who has four outstanding warrants out of Nueces County for Failure to Appear: Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Assault on a Public Servant and Evading Arrest or Detention (All No Bond). 

Alberto is in the Corpus Christi area and Officers with our Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Fugitive Task Force want your help to locate him.  Alberto is described as a 24-year-old male, who stands 6’00” feet, weighs approximately 134 pounds, with black hair and hazel brown eyes.

If you know how to locate Alberto, 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 Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Fugitives Task Force at (361) 267-6500.

Date:  Friday, December 16, 2022, 11:17 PM
Location: 4600 block of Shea Pkwy
Offense: Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer
Case Number: 2212160110

At approximately 11:17 p.m. on Friday, December 16, 2022, officers were flagged down in the area of Holly and Everhart by bystanders who advised that a silver in color vehicle with a broken rear windshield was pointing a weapon at others.  Officers immediately began to canvas the area and spotted a vehicle matching the description in the area of Everhart and Shea Pkwy. 

When the suspect observed an officer’s vehicle approaching, the suspect pointed a handgun out of the window and fired several rounds in the direction of the fully marked police unit.  Officers then attempted to effect a traffic stop, noting that the suspect vehicle proceeded to evade, before the suspect lost control of the vehicle, striking a curb and disabling the vehicle on the 4600 block of Corona. 

Both the driver and passenger then exited the vehicle and attempted to evade on foot but were quickly apprehended by officers, without further incident.  A handgun was recovered, along with evidence of the spent shell casings inside the vehicle. 

Thankfully Officers did not sustain any injuries in the Aggravated Assault. 

The driver of the vehicle, 21-year-old John Vasquez, was arrested on charged of Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer, Evading in a Vehicle and Driving While Intoxicated.  The passenger of the vehicle, 21-year-old Christian Trevino, was arrested on charges of Evading on Foot and Public Intoxication. 

This is still an active and ongoing investigation.  If anyone has 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 www.cctexas.com/crimestoppers.

As is our practice, we are releasing the information for the officer who was involved in the shooting on November 25, 2022.

One Corpus Christi Police Officer discharged his weapon during that critical incident and has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is in accordance with our current department practice and policy.

Senior Officer Alexander LaBatto has been a police officer with the Corpus Christi Police Department for 10 years. 

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=.

For additional information on this incident: OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING | CCPD Blotter (wordpress.com)

As is our practice, we are releasing the information for the officer who was involved in the shooting on November 13, 2022.

One Corpus Christi Police Officer discharged his weapon during that critical incident and has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is in accordance with our current department practice and policy.

Senior Officer David Mendoza has been a police officer with the Corpus Christi Police Department for 18 years. 

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=.

For additional information on this incident: OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING | CCPD Blotter