This afternoon we held a press conference reference our 2019 Spring Break Action Plan.

Below are some of the frequently asked questions and answers.

We want everyone to enjoy their Spring Break, but please do it responsibly and safely.

Will there be extra patrolling on roads and beaches?

• Yes, Traffic Safety Section and additional uniform patrol officers will be patrolling the beach.
• We will also have additional DWI units on patrol.

Beach rules?

• No dogs on the beach from Access Road 3 to Zahn Road on the North side of Packery Channel.                              
  •   City Ordinance 10-59 (Abbreviated)
    (d) The city manager, or the city manager’s designee, is authorized to prohibit all animals on portions of the beach during specified periods, including, but not limited to, high use periods, such as during spring break, holiday weekends, and special events, and in areas designated as animal free zones.
    (e)The city manager, or the city manager’s designee, is authorized to prohibit animals, which are not on a leash, on portions of the beach during high use periods, such as during spring break, holiday weekends, and special events.
• No glass bottles.
• Speed limit is 15 mph and all traffic laws apply on the beach.

Will you be able to build fires and if so where?

• Yes but the size will be restricted to 3x3x3 and no palettes will be allowed on the beach.

Parking on the beach, will you need special permits?

• Yes, permits can be purchased at most beach entrances and at convenience stores. The cost for a permit is $12.00.

Drinking on the beach, only certain containers or drinks? Or is it free for all?

• Yes, but must be of legal drinking age and no glass bottles.

Any road closures?

• No, but there will be an emergency lane for emergency vehicles.
• Traffic Section will be directing traffic as required by congestion.

Members of a U.S. marshals task force and Ingleside police officers today arrested a man here wanted for a Feb. 24 murder in Corpus Christi.

Ralph Espinoza Jr.  (07/10/95) allegedly shot and killed 20-year-old Parris Tipton during a shooting near Glen Arbor Park.   On March 7, the Corpus Christi Police Department asked the U.S. Marshals-led Gulf Coast Violent Offender Fugitive Task Force to assist in the manhunt

Members of the U.S. Marshals task force, with the assistance of the Ingleside Police Department, arrested Espinoza after locating him at an address near 2000 State Highway 361.

Espinoza was taken to the Corpus Christi Police Department to speak with Detectives and was later transported to the City Detention Center for processing.  There is a $500,000 bond set at this time.

See link for additional information:  https://ccpdblotter.com/2019/02/26/suspect-vehicle-in-citys-latest-homicide/

Date: Sunday, March 03, 2019
Location: 4700 Ayers
Incident:  Murder
Case Number: 1903030002

Corpus Christi Detectives are asking for your help to locate 39-year-old Derek Parra  (12/01/1979) who has an outstanding warrant for Murder ($500,000 Bond).

Parra is described as a 39-year-old male who stands 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighs approximately 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

The warrant stems from a Murder which occurred on the 4700 block of Ayers that Corpus Christi Police Officers responded to on Sunday, March 03, 2019.

See links below for additional information. (https://ccpdblotter.com/2019/03/03/can-you-identify-this-suspect-in-the-cities-latest-homicide/) (https://ccpdblotter.com/2019/03/04/detectives-release-video-of-murder-suspect/)

(Derek Parra 12/01/1979)

If you know how to locate Derek Parra, call Crime Stoppers at (361) 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the information online at http://www.888tips.com. The information you provide to Crime Stoppers is anonymous and if the information leads to an arrest, it could earn you a cash reward up to $2,500.

The Corpus Christi Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) has initiated an investigation in which a 32-year-old male, Robert Velasquez, was soliciting minor female children between the ages of 11 to 17 years of age to engage in sexual activity through social media.

Robert Velasquez is currently in custody for one count of Online Solicitation, one count of Sexual Assault and a Motion to Revoke.

The Corpus Christi Police Department is asking that anyone with additional information or if you were a victim to contact ICAC Detective Alicia Escobar at 361-826-2996.

(Robert Velasquez 09/23/1986)

Date:  February 24, 2019
Location:  5800 Block of Tanglewood
Offense:  Murder
Case Number:  1902240104

Corpus Christi Detectives are asking for help from the public in locating a vehicle that is suspected to have been involved in City’s latest Homicide.

The vehicle is described as a 1993-1995 Green in color BWM sedan or similar type vehicle.  The vehicle appears to have a white in color driver’s side door.

This is still an active and ongoing investigation.  If you see a vehicle matching this description, please record the license plate number and call 886-2600 to report the current location of the vehicle. Do not approach the driver or occupants of the vehicle.

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.888tips.com.

Emily Morgan has been located.  We want to thank the community for their help in locating her safely.

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Corpus Christi Police Detectives would like help from the public to locate Emily Morgan, a missing teenager, who may be in danger.

Emily Morgan is from Corpus Christi and was reported missing on February 19, 2019.  Emily was last seen on February 16, 2019 and was last known to be in the Sinton area.  Information gathered during the investigation has led Detectives to believe that Emily may be in danger.  As a result of the updated concerns, we are seeking the public’s help to locate her or any information about her whereabouts.

Emily is described as a 14-year-old female who stands 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs approximately 125 pounds, with strawberry blonde hair and hazel eyes.

If you have any information or know the whereabouts of Emily Morgan, please call Corpus Christi Police Department Detective JR Rodriguez directly at (361) 878-7541 or (361) 548-0674.

You may also contact Crime Stoppers at (361) 888-TIPS or go online to https://www.cctexas.com/crimestoppers.  The information you provide remains anonymous and could earn you a cash reward.

An anti-prostitution sting conducted by the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division Thursday afternoon resulted in the arrests of seven women and one man on charges ranging from prostitution to criminal trespass, terroristic threats, possession of a controlled substance, and public lewdness. One of the women arrested was charged with Felony prostitution, due to previous convictions.  A 44-year-old woman and 35-year-old man were arrested for public lewdness after officers observed them engaged in sexual conduct in a public place. The other women were arrested after they solicited an undercover CCPD Officer for sex acts in exchange for money.  The operation targeted several north and west side neighborhoods frequented by prostitutes.

NVID Detectives were assisted in the operation by Operations Division Crime Reduction Unit Officers, as well as civilians with the Red Cord Initiative.  The Red Cord Initiative 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 the Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation, social service organizations, the Nueces County District Attorney Office, and the Corpus Christi Police Department.  The 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.

Two of the seven women arrested during Thursday’s operation agreed to participate and were accepted into the program.  Since its inception in 2013, 212 men and women have been arrested for prostitution during these operations, 107 have qualified for the program, 66 were accepted, and 19 have graduated from the program.  The Red Cord initiative receives no government funding and is supported entirely through donations.  To learn more, volunteer or donate, citizens can visit the Coastal Bend Wellness foundation at http://www.cbwellness.org.

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.

This past weekend Corpus Christi Police Department Officers conducted an operation reference several complaints of racing in the area of North Shoreline Boulevard.

As a result of this operation a total of 10 individuals were arrested and charged with racing, 3 of those individuals were additionally charged for reckless driving and 4 separate traffic citations were issued.

If you have any reports of reckless or aggressive driving, please submit those complaints to saferoadsforcc@cctexas.com.

Date: Tuesday, January 15, 2019 6:46 PM
Location: Staples/Baldwin
Offense: Fatal Crash
Case Number: 1901150116/C1900318

At approximately 6:46 PM on January 15, 2019, Corpus Christi Police Officers responded to a major crash at the intersection of Staples and Baldwin.

Upon arrival, officers determined that 2 vehicles were involved in a head-on collision.

The driver of unit one, 19-year-old male, was determined to be at fault for failing to yield the right of way.  The driver, sole occupant, was cited accordingly and released to the hospital for follow-up care. 

Unit two was occupied times four.  This vehicle was occupied by 2 adults and 2 young children.  A 26-year-old male passenger was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.  One child was transported to Driscoll in critical condition and the second child was transported to Driscoll in critical but stable condition.  The driver of the vehicle, a 28-year-old female, sustained major injuries but was last updated in stable condition.  The 28-year-old female was found to be under the influence and is subsequently being charged with Driving while Intoxicated with a Child. (SJF)

No additional information is available for release at this time.

Corpus Christi Police Department Investigators are looking to identify a suspect in a home invasion that occurred on December 17, 2018.  A sketch artist worked with the victim to create a sketch of what the suspect may look like.

If you have any information on the identity of this suspect or information about any recent home invasions, call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit the information online at http://www.cctexas.com/crimestoppers.  Crime Stoppers guarantees to keep your identity anonymous and if the information leads to an arrest, it could earn you up to $2,500 dollars in cash.