All posts by Senior Officer Julia Hernandez-Garcia

Charlie District

Motorcyclist Rushed to Hospital with Serious Injuries After Accident

Occurred on 11/2/12, 09:47pm     Major Accident 5300 Saratoga       C1208383 

Police were called to a major accident involving a blue 2008 Ford Mustang a motorcycle in the 5300 block of Saratoga.  Upon their arrival, Officers found the unconscious motorcyclist seriously injured and he was quickly rushed to Spohn Memorial by CCFD Emergency Personnel.  The driver of the Mustang and two passengers, 4 and 24-years of age were uninjured in the collision.

Further investigation revealed, the 26-year-old motorcyclist was traveling eastbound in the left lane when the 20-year-old driver of the vehicle turned left from the left turn only lane onto the H.E.B. parking lot.  The motorcyclist attempted to swerve, but still collided with the Mustang.  The Mustang’s driver was cited for Failure to Yield Right of Way~Turning Left, Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility, and Expired License Plate.   The vehicle was also impounded.

 

 

Bravo District

Man Arrested When He Tries to Pull Real Police Officer Over

Occurred on 11/01/12, 10:01pm  Reckless Driving   Ennis Joslin Road/Hwy 358  1211010177

An off-duty Corpus Christi Police Officer called for back-up when a white Ford Crown Victoria began shining a spot light at him in an attempt to pull him over as they traveled westbound on Hwy 358 approaching Airline Road.  Police located the white Ford Crown Victoria as it exited on West Point Road from Hwy 358.

Further investigation revealed the driver Mark Steven Byrne (09/05/52) and  the off-duty Officer were in the center lane as they traveled east on Hwy 358 when Byrne used a spotlight on his Ford Crown Victoria to light up another vehicle traveling in the fast lane.

That vehicle suddenly braked along with Byrne, causing the off-duty Officer swerve into the right to avoid rear-ending the Crown Victoria.  Byrne then began following the off-duty Officer and shining the spot light at him as he attempted to pull him over.  Byrne kept shining the spot light at the off-duty Officer’s rear view mirrors and waving at him to pull over as he took the Ennis Joslin exit.  When Byrne continued on and made a U-turn, the off-duty Officer was able to follow him and call Police.

Byrne was arrested and charged with Reckless Driving and his vehicle impounded.  Police are also conducting an investigation into the Impersonation of a Public Servant.

The Corpus Christi Police Department requires that only police cars with emergency equipment conduct a traffic stop.  If you are being pulled over, look for these three things that can help you tell a fake cop from a real one.

  • Location
    Officers will pull you over in areas which are well-lit when ever possible.
  • Lights
    Police cars will be marked with emergency equipment.
    Lights are red, blue, and white.
  • Vehicle
    Will be marked with Police Department logos

If feel you are still concerned that the police officer is fake, the Corpus Christi Police Department requests that you ask for the Police Officer’s identification or call 911.  Police dispatchers know where Officers are at all times.

Adam District

Two Charged with Burglary of Oil Belt Little League

Occurred on 11/01/12, 9:33pm Burglary of a Building 4005 Cliff Crenshaw Street  1211010170

Police were called to the Oil Belt Little League at 4005 Crenshaw for a burglary in progress.  The caller reported two males breaking into the building.

Upon on the officer’s arrival, the two teenagers took off running.  Shortly thereafter, Officers were able to identify and detain two juveniles, aged 13 and 16 years old.  Both were booked at the Nueces County Juvenile Justice Center and charged with Burglary of a Building, Criminal Trespass, and Evading Arrest.

The damage to the building was estimated at $500.

Delta District

Detectives Ask For Help in Identifying Robbery Suspects

Occurred on 10/29/12, 10:32pm  Aggravated Robbery  4702 Kostoryz   1210290142

Police were called to the Times Market for an armed robbery involving two Hispanic males.  Officers contacted the 56-year-old store owner and his 54-year-old wife who reported the two men entered the store wearing hoodies pulled over their faces.

One of the men pointed a gun at the store owner and demanded their money from the register. The suspects took an undetermined amount of cash and several cartons of cigarettes. Both suspects fled on foot. The couple was uninjured in the robbery.

The first suspect is described as a Hispanic male, 19 to 23 years of age, and 5’7” to 5’9” feet tall.  He was last seen wearing a grey hoodie with long shorts, and a baseball cap along with flip-flops worn over black socks.

The second suspect is described as a Hispanic male, 18 to 22 years of age, 5’5” to 5’6” feet tall, and weighing 140 to 150 lbs.  He was last seen wearing a red shirt under a grey hoodie, a baseball cap, and armed with a firearm.

Anyone with any information that can identify or locate this man should call the Corpus Christi Police Robbery/Homicide Bureau immediately at 361-886-2841 or the Police Department’s non-emergency number at 361-886-2600.  Information can be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888TIPS.com.

Community Outreach, Traffic Safety Division

Three-Year-Old Runs Into Moving Car

Occurred on 10/30/12, 5:49pm  Accident  1100 Green Earth   C1208270

A three-year-old looking forward to an ice cream treat suffered minor injuries when she collided with a moving car.  Officers were told the child was purchasing a frozen dessert from the ice cream truck parked in the 1100 block of Green Earth.

With ice cream in hand the little girl darted across the street and ran into the passenger side of a moving white Ford F250 pick-up truck.  The young child was taken to Driscoll Children’s Hospital for medical evaluation.  The traffic investigation is ongoing and the 60-year-old driver was not cited.

The Corpus Christi Police Department along with Safe Kids USA suggests that you show your child how to be a safe pedestrian by setting a good example when crossing the street and following these safety tips:

  • Cross Streets at a corner.  Use signals and crosswalks when they are there.
  • Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
  • Look left, right and left again before crossing.  Keep looking as you cross.
  • Walk across streets.  Don’t run.
  • Walk on sidewalks or paths.  If there are no sidewalks, face traffic and stay left.
  • Watch for cars that are turning or backing up.
  • Never allow kids under age 10 to cross streets alone.
  • Make sure kids play in safe places like yards, park and playgrounds. Kids should never play in the street.
  • Hold kids’ hands in parking lots and while crossing the street.

 

Community Outreach

Treat Yourself to a Car at CCPD’s Monthly Auction

The C.C.P.D.’s commitment to “Keep Corpus Christi Safe” has continued with its “Zero Tolerance No Insurance Initiative”

On Saturday, November 3, 2012, a total of 104 cars, trucks, and motorcycles will be auctioned at the Corpus Christi Police Department’s  Vehicle Impound Lot located at 5485 Greenwood Drive during our monthly auction. The site has four paved acres for an auction lot.

Approximately 17 of these vehicles are “No Insurance” impounds. On Friday, November 2, 2012, the general public will be allowed to register and view the vehicles to be auctioned from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There is no registration fee.

On the day of the auction, the general public can continue to register and view the vehicles from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The auction will commence promptly at 10:00 a.m.   The vehicles to be auctioned can be viewed at www.siskauction.com. An auction list may also be downloaded from the same website.

The department’s strong stand and enforcement of this “Zero Tolerance No Insurance Initiative” will continue and all vehicles involved in accidents will be impounded and the driver cited if they are unable to provide financial proof of insurance. Driver’s license and proof of financial responsibility checkpoints will continue to be conducted at the Shift Captains’ authorization.

Officers issued 5,509 citations and impounded 1,212 vehicles for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility during 2011.  During October of 2012, Officers issued 296 citations for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility and impounded 76 vehicles for the same charge.

Charlie District

Clerk Uninjured in Armed Robbery

Occurred on 10/21/12, 2:03am  Aggravated Robbery  5702 Kostoryz Road 1210210022

Police were dispatched to the Stripes Convenience Store for a robbery in which two men robbed the store clerk at gunpoint.  Officers contacted the store clerk who told them a Hispanic male ordered him to turn over the money as he pointed a gun at him.  The 19-year-old clerk turned over an undetermined amount of money and the robbers fled towards a field behind the store.

The armed robber was further described as a heavy-set Hispanic male, 16 to 20 years of age, 5’2″ to 5’8″ feet tall and weighing 220 to 230 lbs. He was last seen wearing a red hoodie, black shorts, and white hi-tops.

The second suspect is described as a thin Hispanic male, 16 to 20 years of age, 5’2″ to 5’8″ feet tall and weighing 160 t0 180 lbs.  He was last seen wearing a black hoodie, blue jeans, and white shoes.

Anyone with any information that can identify or locate these men should call the Corpus Christi Police Robbery/Homicide Bureau immediately at 361-886-2841 or the Police Department’s non-emergency number at 361-886-2600.  Information can be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888TIPS.com.

Community Outreach

CCPD Making Sure Your Halloween is Safe

The Corpus Christi Police Department’s Sex Offender Registration Coordinator D. Berry and Detective J.T. Smith will be conducting spot checks on the registered sex offenders within our city on Halloween night from 5pm to 9pm.  The Police Department’s Directed Patrol Officers will also be accompanying officers of the Nueces County Adult Probation Department as they conduct compliance checks on Monday  through Wednesday.

The Corpus Christi Police Department (CCPD) has a website where you can view the registered sex offenders in Corpus Christi on an interactive Google map. Sex offender’s locations are one of the most requested information calls into the Police Department during Halloween. The CCPD has made it extremely easy for citizens to do research on their own by using CRIMEREPORTS.com.

www.crimereports.com is a web-based crime mapping system. Once on the site, enter your address along with Corpus Christi, Texas and hit enter. You will be shown the sex offenders near your home as indicated by a red and white yield sign type of symbol.  The map will show the locations, photo, address and other information of each sex offender.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has these Halloween Safety Tips that the CCPD would like to pass on to our citizens:

ALL DRESSED UP:

  • Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
  • Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.
  • Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes.
  • When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
  • If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child’s costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.
  • Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
  • Do not use decorative contact lenses without an eye examination and a prescription from an eye care professional. While the packaging on decorative lenses will often make claims such as “one size fits all,” or “no need to see an eye specialist,” obtaining decorative contact lenses without a prescription is both dangerous and illegal. This can cause pain, inflammation, and serious eye disorders and infections, which may lead to permanent vision loss.
  • Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.

CARVING A NICHE:

  • Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting.
  • Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light your pumpkin. If you do use a candle, a votive candle is safest.
  • Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and should never be left unattended.

HOME SAFE HOME:

  • To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.
  • Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
  • Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.
  • Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

ON THE TRICK-OR-TREAT TRAIL:

  • A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.
  • If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.
  • Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
  • Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind Trick-or Treaters:
  • Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
  • Carry a cell phone for quick communication.
  • Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
  • If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
  • Never cut across yards or use alleys.
  • Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom). Never cross between parked cars or out driveways.
  • Don’t assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn’t mean others will!
  • Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

HEALTHY HALLOWEEN:

  • A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.
  • Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.
  • Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
  • Try to ration treats for the days following Halloween.
Community Outreach

Reminder: Entry Deadline for Anti-D.W.I. Slogan and Art Contest Nears

The Corpus Christi Police Department announces a contest that ends November 12, 2012 for High School students ages 15-18 years old in which the winners will receive a new iPad and have their entry displayed on a billboard in Corpus Christi.

The contest is to design a new anti-drunk driving advertising campaign. Contest winners will be in two categories; for the best slogan and for the best 2 dimensional artwork. The contest entries must be submitted to the High School the student attends or to the Police Department no later than November 12, 2012.

The contest entries will be judged by a group designated by Police Chief Floyd Simpson. Judges will not know the name of the contestant nor will they know which school the student attends when the contest entries are judged. The two first place winners will receive iPads. The second place winners will receive iPod touches, and the third place winners will receive iPod nanos. The contest winners will have their entry displayed on billboards in Corpus Christi through the month of December.

The contest is open to all students of a High School in Corpus Christi or accredited home school in Corpus Christi. Those interested in the contest should visit www.cctexas.com/police/contest.html for information and to download an entry form.

This is an opportunity for new drivers to use their creativity to make the streets a safer place to drive.

 

Bravo District

Man Dragged, Run Over During Robbery

Occurred on 10/3/12, 02:52 am  Aggravated Robbery   5200 Williams    1210300006

Officers contacted the victim’s sister who reported her brother had been run over by a car during a robbery.  The victim told Officers he was trying to sell his Play Station 3 to someone he met on Facebook.  They negotiated a price for the PS3 and agreed to meet at 5222 Williams.

Once there the “buyer” pulled out a knife and attempted to rob the victim.  A scuffle ensued during which the suspect was unable to open the knife.  As the struggle continued on, the victim fell inside the vehicle, dropping the PS3 on floorboard.  The victim was dragged before having his leg run over as the suspect drove off.  He sustained a large abrasion to his leg, but refused to be taken to the hospital for medical treatment.

Officers checked the area for the suspect, but were unable to find the suspect.  The suspect provided the victim with his identity and the robbery investigation will be turned over to the Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Bureau.

Anyone with any additional information on this crime is encouraged to call the Criminal Investigation Division at 361-886-2841 or remain anonymous and call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS.  You can also submit a tip online at www.888TIPS.com.  Tipsters can earn a cash reward if the suspect is arrested.

If selling items on eBay, Craig’s List, or Facebook, the Police Department recommends that you meet in a public, well lit place and avoid pick-ups from home at all costs.  When selling, do not publish your address or invite strangers into your home.  Tell a friend or family member where you’re going.  Above all, trust your instincts.