All posts by Senior Officer Julia Hernandez-Garcia

Charlie District

“Long Lost” Nephew Scam Artist Thwarted

Occurred 9/9, 11:21 p.m.   Theft    4833 S. Padre Island Drive   1109090082 

Officers responded to a theft scam at the Wal-Mart customer service desk involving an 85-year-old victim.  Customer service representative reported an elderly victim sent $2,500 via a Money Gram to Monterrey,Mexico.

The victim told Officers she received a phone call from a person claiming to be her “long lost” nephew from Mexico.  He went on to ask for $2,500.00 to keep from being imprisoned over a traffic accident.

The elderly victim agreed to send the money via Money Gram.  The transaction was similar to a fraud which occurred earlier in the week and the customer service representative was able to reverse the transaction.  The money was returned to the victim.

As of today, the Corpus Christi Police Department has received several reports of unscrupulous individuals taking or attempting to take advantage of Senior Citizens in our community.  Please talk to your family, friends, and neighbors and warn them of this theft scam.

We’ve included several tips for seniors and their caregivers:

  • NEVER give personal or financial information over the telephone
  • Do Not offer any family names to callers unknown to you.  They will assume the identity of these family members.
  • Remove yourself from telephone calling and mailing lists.
  • Remember, if the caller asks to keep the call a secret, he doesn’t want outsiders to know about the fraud.
  • Check with other family members before sending money or any other assistance.

Please contact Crime Prevention Advisors Imelda Benavides and Brenda Rodriguez at 361-886-2765 to schedule a personal safety presentation.

Adam District

Female Arrested And $2,330 Seized In Narcotics Raid

Occurred 9/8, 4:06 p.m.   Possession of a Controlled Substance   910 N. Omaha 1109080113

Corpus Christi Narcotics & Vice Division Detectives and Patrol Officers served a search warrant at 910 N. Omaha.  A total of seven individuals were contacted inside the apartment.  During the search of the residence, Officers located a couple of scales along with a small quantity of Crack Cocaine.  Officers also found $2,330.00 in U.S.currency.  Desiree Lanay Rabb 09/23/82 was arrested after a pill bottle containing several yellow pills was found in her purse.  She was transported and booked at the CDC.  Rabb was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance.   The drugs and the money were seized as evidence.  The other occupants of the apartment were released.

Charlie District

Juveniles Caught Trying to “Boost” Vehicles

Occurred 9/9, 12:42 a.m.   U.U.M.V. (Stolen Vehicle)   2730 S.P.I.D.   1109090009

A passerby reported two suspicious males looking into several cars in the parking lot at 2730 S. Padre Island Drive.  Officers detained two 16-year-olds for violating nighttime curfew.  Further investigation revealed the two males had been attempting to steal a silver Honda passenger car along with a silver Volvo.  Both were transported and booked at the Nueces County Juvenile.  They were each charged with two counts of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.

Bravo District

Girlfriend Threatens To Kill Cheating Boyfriend At Knifepoint

Occurred 9/8, 11:23 p.m.   Aggravated Assault   5833 Woodhaven   1109090002 

Officers responded to the residence for a female holding a butcher knife to a male’s throat.  Upon their arrival, Officers the parties involved denied the claims, but witnesses told Officers they were enjoying their evening when Felicia Nicole Salazar (08/28/91) discovered her 24-year-old boyfriend and another female had been involved in an intimate relationship. 

Salazar became angry and assaulted the boyfriend, punching him in the nose.  Salazar grabbed a butcher knife and held it against her boyfriend’s neck as she threatened to kill him.   

The victim escaped without being injured and locked himself in the bathroom.  Salazar chased after the victim, using a credit card to open the bathroom door and again threatened to kill him at knifepoint. 

Salazar was arrested and booked at the CDC.  She was charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.  The knife was recovered and tagged as evidence.

Adam District

Cyclist Chases Down Hit and Run Suspect

Occurred 9/8, 5:05 p.m.   Accident    13500 Northwest Blvd.   C1106468 

Officers responded for a hit and run accident in which silver 2002 Isuzu pulled out from a private drive and struck a bicyclist who was riding on the sidewalk.   The bicyclist was knocked down, but not injured.  The driver of the Isuzu fled, but the bicyclist gave chase.  The cyclist was able to provide Officers with the license plate number of the hit and run vehicle.  The investigation is ongoing.

Adam District

Anger Over Private Impound Results In Aggravated Robbery

Occurred 9/9, 04:00   Aggravated Robbery   4908 Up River Rd   1109000014

Officers responded for a burglary in progress call which involved several suspects attempting to break into Lone Star Wrecker.  Upon their arrival, Officers contacted the owner of the business who reported they impounded a red Dodge Durango from 2022 Treyway which was parked at a fire zone.

Once back at the wrecker yard, he began to receive threatening phone calls demanding the release of the vehicle.  The owner believing the business would be burglarized hid across the street to keep an eye on his business.

Shortly thereafter, a white Nissan occupied by several Hispanic males drove up to the wrecker yard.  They exited the vehicle armed with bolt cutters and cut the padlock to the front gate.  One of the males walked into the wrecker yard and began to drive the Durgano out of the yard.

The owner attempted to block him in with his tow truck, but the driver drove at them almost running them over.  The driver fled prior to the Officers arrival, but returned as the Officer was conducting his investigation.

Jorell Jay Armadillo (07/27/86) was positively identified by the victims and arrested.  He was transported and booked at the CDC.  He was charged with Aggravated Robbery.  The red Dodge Durango was located by Officers and impounded.

Charlie District

Shampoo Thief Attempts to Bite His Way Out of Arrest

Occurred 9/8, 3:57 p.m.   Robbery   4102 Ayers   1109080100  

Officers arrived to find the CVS Pharmacy store manager and their loss prevention officer holding down a Hispanic male in the front of the store.  The store manager reported to Officers their loss prevention officer observed Phillip Ace Martinez (09/07/82) hiding twenty-one bottles of shampoo in his pants and walk out the store without paying for them.  Both men attempted to stop Martinez who struggled with them in an attempt to escape. Martinez bit the store manager’s hands and began to choke him with his own tie when he was unable to break away. Martinez was arrested and booked at the CDC.  He was charged with Robbery.  The store manager sustained minor injuries in the assault.  The stolen property valued at $132.00 was returned to CVS Pharmacy.

Charlie District

Arrests of Graffiti Vandals Continues

A local 18 year old graffiti vandal was served with an arrest warrant at his home by a Corpus Christi Police Officers September 7, 2011.  Nathan Andrew Valdez (02/05/93) was accused of participating with another member of a tagging crew in etching graffiti on plate glass windows at theRichard Milburne Academy located at 5333 Everhart Road on August 29, 2011.

TheRichard Milburne Academy is a charter public school, which made the graffiti a state jail felony.  The Graffiti Task Force obtained a felony arrest warrant on Valdez which was served at his residence. Valdez was arrested and booked at the CDC.  His bond was set at $25,000.

If convicted of the offense,Valdez could face up to 2 years in a state jail facility and/or a $10,000 fine.

Community Outreach

9-11 Tribute Honoring Coastal Bend First Responders

In memory of the 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001, Chief of Police Troy Riggs has announced the first annual Patriot 5K Fun Run/Walk.  The event honors all of those in uniform who are first to respond in times of emergency, including all present and past members of the Armed Forces, Police Officers, Firefighters and Paramedics, Sheriff’s Deputies, Department of Public Safety Troopers, Constable’s Officers, and State and Federal Officers.

The Patriot 5K Fun Run & Walk will take place Saturday, September 10, 2011, at 7:30 a.m. at Sherrill Park, 222 S. Shoreline.  The event is sponsored by Citizens in Support of the CCPD, a not-for-profit foundation whose mission is to create a safer Corpus Christi by strengthening the bond between the Corpus Christi Police Department and the citizens it serves.

Other sponsors include Ed Hicks Mercedes Nissan & Infinity, Bay Ltd., H.E.B., Stripes, CITGO, and the Corpus Christi Police Officer’s Association.  Entry fees have been covered by the sponsors and participants will receive, t-shirts, sports towels, and water bottles, until the items run out.

A 9-11 tribute ceremony will take place at 7:45 a.m. and will include the Corpus Christi Veteran’s Band and the Patriot Guard Riders.  The Patriot 5K Fun Run/Walk honorary starter will be Lieutenant General Marc Cisneros, U.S. Army, Retired.

Participants are also encouraged to bring along any tattered or torn American Flags.  A local Boy Scout who is working on becoming an Eagle Scout will exchange American Flags for free and retire the older ones properly.

Contact:

DeAnna McQueen, Special Projects Coordinator
Corpus Christi Police Department
Office: 361-826-2940
Cell:  361-673-3563
deannam@cctexas.com

Charlie District

Suspects Vandalize Church and Church Bus

Reported 9/7, 11:13 a.m.   Criminal Mischief   3101 McArdle   1109070047

Officers contacted the Maranatha Church Pastor who reported that four church buildings and the church bus were spray painted with graffiti within the last month.   The vandals used red, green, and black paint to cause approximately $1,650. in damages.  Anyone having any information regarding this crime is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or the Corpus Christi Police Department Graffiti Task Force.