The Corpus Christi Animal Control and Vector Services received a confirmation of West Nile virus in a mosquito in the 5800 Block  of Crest Circle from a test that was submitted on July 6, 2016.

Vector Services has implemented the Mosquito Management Response Plan to this detection. The response entails the following:

1. The spraying of a 1/2 mile radius around the area of the detection for three consecutive nights beginning tonight.
2. Police Directed Patrol officers and Neighborhood Services personnel will be attempting to locate any standing water in the affected neighborhood including examining abandoned properties.
3. Vector Services will conduct continuing surveillance of mosquito traps in the immediate area for signs of the Culex species of mosquito responsible for West Nile virus.

The need to spray a larger area is not necessary based on the entomology of the Culex species mosquito and the normal travel distance of this mosquito.

Vector Control will be conducting the aerial spray in the evening, and at dusk, since that is the time the Culex is most active. Residents are reminded to check their property for standing water and to avoid if possible outdoor activities at dusk and dawn, wear long sleeve shirts and long pants if possible. Use appropriate mosquito repellent with DEET for themselves and their children. Please call 361-826-2489 if you wish to report abandoned property or high grass or standing water.

Date: Thursday, June 30, 2016
Location: 1000 block of Herndon Street
Event: Missing Person
Case Number: 1606300177

On July 6, 2016, Corpus Christi Police Department Family Violence Detectives obtained a warrant for the arrest of Nigel Green (2/23/86).  The warrants were obtained for Aggravated Assault (Family Violence) where Carina Castellanos was the victim.  The Aggravated Assault had occurred in the 1000 blk of Herndon on June 10, 2016. 

The United States Marshal’s Violent Offender Task Force, out of San Antonio, located and arrested Nigel Green on July 7, 2016.  CCPD Robbery/Homicide Detectives, who were handling the missing person report regarding Carina, went to San Antonio and transported Nigel back to Corpus Christi.  During the interview with Detectives, Nigel confessed to murdering Carina Castellanos.  Nigel Green then led Detectives to a corn field along Interstate 37 and Highway 359 in Mathis, Texas.  In a ditch, bordering the corn field, Detectives found the remains of what we believe is the body of Carina Castellanos.   

Nigel Green was arrested for the Aggravated Assault (Family Violence) warrants and Murder. 

Several local residents have been targeted recently for a fraud/scam that has been labeled as “virtual kidnapping”.   The caller tells the targeted victim that a grandson or other family member is in trouble, usually out of the country, and then they are given instructions on wiring or sending money electronically to solve the problem.

Are you putting too much personal information about your grandkids or other family members on your Facebook Page for all the world to see?  This scam is nothing new and it appears that the criminals are getting the relationship information from family social media pages.   It also appears that these criminals target elderly family members who might have only occasional contact with the family member that is “kidnapped”.

The F.B.I. suggests the following action if you receive one of these calls.

To avoid becoming a victim of this extortion scheme, look for the following possible indicators:

• Incoming calls come from an outside area code, sometimes from Puerto Rico with area codes (787), (939) and (856)
• Calls do not come from the kidnapped victim’s phone
• Callers go to great lengths to keep you on the phone
• Callers prevent you from calling or locating the “kidnapped” victim
• Ransom money is only accepted via wire transfer service

If you receive a phone call from someone who demands payment of a ransom for a kidnapped victim, the following should be considered:

• Try to slow the situation down. Request to speak to the victim directly. Ask, “How do I know my loved one is okay?”
• If they don’t let you speak to the victim, ask them to describe the victim or describe the vehicle they drive, if applicable.
• Listen carefully to the voice of the kidnapped victim if they speak.
• Attempt to call, text, or contact the victim via social media. Request that the victim call back from his or her cell phone.
• While staying on the line with alleged kidnappers, try to call the alleged kidnap victim from another phone.
• To buy time, repeat the caller’s request and tell them you are writing down the demand, or tell the caller you need time to get things moving.
• Don’t directly challenge or argue with the caller. Keep your voice low and steady.

Request the kidnapped victim call back from his/her cell phone.

Date: 06/14/2016  08:20 p.m.
Location: 734 E Port Ave.
Offense: Family Violence Assault/Warrant
Case Number: 1606080069

On 6/14/2016 a detective from the CCPD Family Violence Unit spent her workday obtaining an arrest warrant on a 25 year old man who was accused of assaulting and choking his girlfriend. This accused offender was already on five years of probation for a similar incident.  The arrest warrant with a $75,000 bond was signed by a judge that afternoon. The detective finished her workday and headed to Whataburger Field to work off duty at a Hooks baseball game.

She was not at the game very long when the wanted offender walked right by her. The offender was accompanied by the same girlfriend, the victim of the assault.   The offender was arrested.

The judge that signed the warrant was also at that game.

Anyone who has been a victim of domestic violence should seek counsel from resources like the Women’s Shelter at (361) 881-8888.       thewomensshelter.org

http://www.ccpolice.com/government/ccpd/units-and-divisions/investigations-bureau/family-violence-unit

Date:  Friday, June 10, 2016   09:45 a.m.
Location:  6500 South Staples
Incident: Robbery
Case Number:  1606100049

A restaurant employee was robbed at about 09:45 this morning as she walked into her place of employment in the 6500 block of South Staples. She had just arrived at the restaurant after coming directly from a bank.   It appears that she was followed from that bank and then robbed in a manner consistent with a type of street crime known as “jugging”.

The Offenders in this mornings crime were described as three young black males. The suspect vehicle was described as an older model silver or gray four door car.

Corpus Christi was targeted for this type of crime early last year and the department responded with a massive public information effort, enhanced bank patrols, and undercover special assignments. Some of the offenders were identified and it was confirmed that they were part a well-organized street crimes gang from Houston.

All citizens, especially business employees, are once again asked to be very aware and vigilant when leaving the bank after any transaction.   It appears that the preferred method of the criminal is to follow the person from the bank and then take the money from a vehicle if the money is left in an unattended vehicle.   These types of criminals will also approach people to forcibly take the money if it was not left in the vehicle.

Anyone who can identify anyone involved in this robbery, or has any additional information about this crime should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit the information online at http://www.888TIPS.com. Crime Stoppers guarantees to keep the identity secret of anyone who provides information and if the information leads to an arrest, it could earn the caller a cash reward.

Date: 5/2/2016    12:10 AM
Location: 3100 Morgan Avenue
Offense: Murder
P.C.  19.02      First Degree Felony
Case Number: 1605020002

We believe that Jesus Espino and Javier Castro were involved in this Murder.   It appears that they were transported across the border into Mexico the same day of the murder. No arrest warrants exist at this time

 Anyone who has information about these two suspects should contact the Corpus Christi Police Department at 886-2840. Information about unsolved crimes may also be provided to investigators anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or online at 888TIPS.com. Information provided to Crime Stoppers which results in an arrest may earn the caller a cash reward.

Date: 5/2/2016    12:10 AM
Location: 3100 Morgan Avenue
Offense: Murder
P.C.  19.02      First Degree Felony
Case Number: 1605020002

Corpus Christi Police Homicide Detectives are looking into a dispute that led to a shooting in the parking lot of a nightclub located at 3149 Morgan Avenue.  

Officers arrived at the scene and found a 27 year old female with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head.  The female was transported to Spohn Memorial Hospital by CCFD EMS were she was later pronounced dead.

Mary Elizabeth Cantu, 10/09/1965, was arrested on 05/02/2016 at 5:10 p.m. on a charge of Hindering Apprehension.  She is accused of transporting the suspect and two witnesses into Mexico several hours after the shooting.

Corpus Christi Police would like anyone with any information about this case to provide that information to Homicide Detectives by calling 886-2600. The public is encouraged to provide any information they believe may be related to this case no matter how seemingly insignificant and the public should not assume Police have the information.

.