All posts by Senior Officer Julia Hernandez-Garcia

Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division

Do You Know These Women? Earn Holiday Cash by Calling Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS

The Corpus Christi Police Department’s Auto Theft Task and Financial Crimes Division are asking the public’s assistance in identifying two females involved in several auto burglaries at church day care centers.

The heavier set woman is the lookout while the woman with the sunglasses will check the parking lot for any unlocked vehicles.  The women like to target purses left in the victim’s automobiles as they rush in to drop off their children at daycare.  The stolen credit cards are used almost immediately.

Detectives report the women are known to drive a grey 2011-2012 Toyota Camry.  Anyone with any information on the identity of these two woman are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit a tip online at www.888TIPS.com.   Tipsters will earn a cash reward if the suspects are arrested.

Delta District

Man Creates Drive Thru at Local Gentleman’s Club

Jose Silva Silva

Occurred on 11/19/12, 8:53pm  Criminal Mischief  5401 Leopard  1211190147 

Corpus Christi Police were called to The Caberet Men’s Club for a major accident involving a disgruntled patron.  A 46-year-man was asked to leave after he refused to tip the dancers.  Silva (10/15/66) was escorted out by staff and got into his vehicle.

Witnesses told Officers, Silva entered his Ford Expedition and began “burning rubber” in the parking lot.  Witnesses observed Silva accelerate and intentionally crash into the building causing $20,000 in damages.  No one inside the building was injured.

Silva was arrested and taken to  Spohn Memorial for a medical evaluation.  He was medically cleared and charged  with Criminal Mischief, a Third Degree Felony punishable by up ten years in prison and a $10,000.

 

Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division, Patrol Division, Traffic Safety Division

CCPD Announces Holiday Season Safety Plan

The Corpus Christi Police Department has finalized its 2012 Holiday Season Safety Plan.  Working with the District Attorney’s Office, the Nueces County Sheriff’s Office, City Traffic Engineering, and the Texas Department of Transportation, the Police Department has developed a plan that will provide for both increased enforcement efforts and improved traffic flow around the busiest shopping areas. This year’s plan once again provides for increased traffic control and police presence in and around the busiest shopping areas, along with enhanced DWI enforcement throughout the city. Beginning November 23rd and continuing through December 31st, officers from several divisions will combine resources to ensure that our citizens enjoy a safe and crime-free holiday season.

Up to 26 additional officers will be redirecting their enforcement and traffic control efforts toward the busiest shopping areas in town. The officers will work staggered shifts beginning as early as 7:00 AM each day to provide additional resources to this area. Among the areas targeted for increased patrol are:

  • La Palmera Mall
  • Moore Plaza
  • Sunrise Mall
  • The Promenade (includes Toys-R-Us)
  • Gulf Way Shopping Center
  • Saratoga Town Center (includes Kohl’s)
  • Island Gateway Plaza (Best Buy, Bed Bath and Beyond, Ross Department Store)
  • Wal-Marts, Sam’s Club
  • Other busy shopping areas and restaurants along SPID

Officers from the Uniform Division, the Enduro Motorcycle Unit, CID, Gang Unit and the Directed Patrol Program will conduct frequent high visibility patrol through the parking lots of these busy shopping areas. Shoplifting, auto burglary, auto theft, purse snatching, and robbery are the most common crimes committed by those who take advantage of busy and sometimes distracted holiday shoppers. Plain clothes Detectives, including those from the Auto Theft Task Force will also be patrolling the parking lots and busy shopping areas, attempting to spot crimes in progress.

In addition to patrolling the parking lots, Auto Theft Task Force officers will deploy their “bait vehicle” in the parking lots of the busiest shopping areas. The “bait vehicle” is a specially equipped vehicle complete with sensors, video cameras, GPS tracking, and a remote ignition switch that allows officers to disable the vehicle if it is stolen or burglarized.

Throughout the holiday shopping season, Traffic officers will direct their efforts toward ensuring a safe and smooth flow of traffic into and out of the malls and other busy shopping areas.  Beginning Friday the 23rd, traffic officers will be assigned to provide traffic control and enforcement at the major intersections along SPID, as well as near the entrances and exits to the malls and major shopping centers.  Shoppers are urged to monitor the large Texas Department of Transportation message boards located along State Highway 358 (SPID) and State Highway 286 (Crosstown Expressway) for important notices regarding current driving conditions, traffic crashes, and potential alternative routes.  The City Traffic Engineering Department will also be deploying at least two portable electronic message boards to communicate important traffic information to the motoring public. In addition, there will be an increased emphasis on the use traffic cones, delineators and similar traffic control devices to help maintain a smooth flow of traffic into and out of busy shopping locations.  Drivers are urged to drive alertly and be prepared to follow these devices.

Alternative Routes to Major Shopping Centers

With the increased amount of vehicular traffic around the malls during this time of the year, traffic crashes also typically increase proportionally.  Construction on South Staples Street between Williams Drive and Saratoga Boulevard is only expected to exacerbate the problems of traffic congestion and traffic crashes. As a result, shoppers this year are encouraged to take several steps to ensure their shopping trip is accident free:

  • Plan ahead.
  • Leave early.
  • Avoid major thoroughfares and intersections if possible.
  • Utilize less traveled alternate routes.
  • Watch for construction signs and workers.
  • Monitor and follow directions on message boards
  • Watch for traffic cones, delineators and other traffic control devices.
  • Be especially cautious and look out for Officers directing traffic.  Slow down and follow directions.
  • Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you.
  • Avoid distractions in your vehicle.
  • Always wear your safety belts.
  • Follow CCPD on Twitter (Corpus Christi Police @CorpusChristiPD)

In addition to the Police Department’s two full time DWI Officers, a State grant reimburses overtime costs to hire an additional 3 officers, allowing the department to place as many five officers at any one time on the street to concentrate solely on DWI enforcement.

 

Community Outreach, Traffic Safety Division

CCPD Cracks Down on Unpermitted Taxi Cab’s, Limo’s and Buses

Saturday night, 11/17/12, Captain Mark Gutierrez and the interim taxi cab inspector, Keith Langford, conducted spot inspections on taxi cabs, limousines, and party buses. These inspections were based on some recent complaints that drivers and companies were operating within our city without proper permits. As a result of the inspections, 8 taxi cabs representing 4 taxi companies were contacted. All of them were found to be in compliance.

They also contacted 3 party buses and found all of them to be in compliance as well. Of 3 limousines representing 2 different companies that were contacted, 2 were found to be operating with an un-permitted driver as required by city ordinance. Both of these 2 limos were carrying passengers when contacted. Both drivers were given citations for operating a limo w/o a permit, city ordinance 57-166e, and they were not allowed to continue driving.

Alternate arrangements were made for the passengers to continue on in the limousines by having either another company come to assist or having a permitted driver respond to the scene to continue on. Both limousine companies are under investigation for allowing un-permitted drivers to operate which is also a violation of city ordinance. The taxi inspector’s office will continue to go out and conduct spot inspections at night and on the weekends to ensure that all companies are in compliance with law.

Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division, Delta District, Patrol Division

Man Wanted for Murder Turns Himself In

Jose Angel Macias Jr.

The Corpus Christi Homicide/Robbery Bureau investigated the shooting death of a 21-year-old man on November 18, 2012 at 11:49am.  With the assistance of the community and the tips called in to Crime Stoppers, Detectives were able to identify the suspects involved and obtain a Murder warrant for an 18-year-old man.

Jose Angel Macias (03/16/94) turned himself in to the City Detention Center on 11/20/20 at 12:40am.  He was booked and charged with the outstanding Murder warrant.  His bond was set at 200,000.

For additional informational, please view the original CCPD Blotter post at http://wp.me/p1D8kP-2Lq.

Delta District

Hit & Run Driver Leaves License Plate Behind

Occurred on 11/18/12, 4:34am   Minor Accident  838 Lantana   C1208807

Police were called to an early morning hit and run accident in which a white Ford F250 was traveling northbound on Lantana when it left the roadway.  The truck struck a car port and the two parked vehicles inside.  The truck and driver fled the accident scene, leaving the truck’s license plate behind.  No one inside the home was injured.

Officers did locate the unoccupied pick-up truck in the parking lot of the Sea Breeze Apartments located at 809 Derry.  The vehicle was impounded.

The hit and run investigation remains ongoing and will be conducted by the Traffic Safety Division.  Anyone with any information on this crime is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit a tip online at www.888TIPS.com.  Tipsters will earn a cash reward if the suspect is arrested.

Adam District, Criminal Investigations Division

19-Year-Old Woman Stabbed After Night Out

Occurred on 11/18/12, 04:23am  Aggravated Assault  3700 Mueller  1211180040

A woman was taken to Spohn Memorial after she was stabbed by a heavyset woman following a disturbance.  The suspect known only as “Oso” pulled a knife during the argument and stabbed the victim in the chest and neck. Officers report the victim’s injuries were not life-threatening.

The suspect was able to flee prior to the Officers’ arrival.  The women had been at a bar earlier in the evening, but the motive for the assault is unknown.  She is described as a Black female, 5’4″ to 5’8″ feet tall, and weighing 150 to 180 lbs.

Anyone with any information on this crime is encouraged to call Corpus Christi Homicide/Robbery Detectives at 361-886-2841 or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS.  Tipsters will earn a cash reward if the suspect is arrested.

Delta District

Slipping from the “Dock of the Bay”

Occurred on 11/18/12, 6:57am  Accident     1600 N. Shoreline    C1208809

Police were called to the Barge Dock at 1600 N. Shoreline for a vehicle in the bay.  Upon their arrival, Officers contacted a couple who told them they safely escaped from their white Chevrolet Avalanche when it fell into the bay.

The 26-year-old driver told police he had accidentally stepped on the accelerator causing the Avalanche to go into the water.  The driver and his 25-year-old girlfriend were uninjured.

The Corpus Christi Police Department’s Dive Team was called to assist and recovered the submerged truck.

Criminal Investigations Division

Detectives Seeking to Identify Two Men In Connection with Homicide

On November 18, 2012, at approximately 11:49 p.m., Officers responded to the Stripes Convenience Store at Ayers and Bevecrest for a shooting.

The 21-year-old victim was driven by private vehicle to Spohn South where he was pronounced deceased.  The cause of death is pending the Nueces County Medical Examiner’s ruling, but the death is currently being investigated as a Homicide.

Corpus Christi Homicide/Robbery Detectives are asking the public’s assistance in identifying the two men shown on video in connection with the Homicide.

Anyone with any information on this crime is encouraged to call Corpus Christi Homicide/Robbery Detectives at 361-886-2841 or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS.  Tipsters will earn a cash reward if the suspects are arrested.

Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division

Don’t Be Scammed into being a Secret Shopper

With the Holiday Season upon us, the thought of earning a little extra spending sounds like a great idea, but beware when an offer sounds to good to be true.  The Corpus Christi Police Department and the Better Business Bureau is sending out warnings to prevent you falling victim to a Secret Shopper Scam.

Avoid a counterfeit check scam and protect yourself, by asking to be paid by check drawn at a local bank.  Visit the following BBB link for additional information. http://www.bbb.org/blog/2012/11/secret-shopper-job-offer-promises-easy-cash-but-delivers-a-scam/