All posts by Senior Officer Julia Hernandez-Garcia

Charlie District, Criminal Investigations Division

Can You Identify this Bicycle Thief? Call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS.

Occured on 9/12/12, 12:15 pm  Theft  5000 Deepwood Circle  1209120083

The Corpus Christi Police Department’s Property Crimes Unit is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect involved in stealing a $1,000 mountain bike from a local physical therapy office.

Surveillance video shows a male picking up the victim’s bicycle and carrying it away into a light-colored van.  If anyone has any additional information on this crime or the identity of the suspect, you are encouraged to call Crime Stopper at 888-TIPS or submit a tip online at www.888TIPS.com .

The video has been uploaded to You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J48OuCq8YKI&list=UUw03P1KNDZT32ZIKdkrpQuw.

 

Criminal Investigations Division, Delta District

Gunfire Scares Burglars Away

Occurred on 9/14/12, 2:49 a.m.  Burglary of a Habitation  2400 Niagara       1209140018

Shortly before 3:00 am, Officers responded to a Niagara Street residence for shots being fired at two burglars.  Upon their arrival, Officers contacted the 48-year-old man who told Officers he was watching TV when he heard glass breaking.

He armed himself and checked on his home.  In the living room, the victim could see two men inside his kitchen.  He ordered them to “freeze,” but one of the men began walking towards him.  The man shot at the men and they ran out of the residence.

The victim collapsed while talking to Officers and he was taken to Spohn Memorial for treatment.  It is unknown whether the suspects were struck by gunfire.

The suspects are described as two Hispanic males, approximately 20 to 24 years of age.  One of the men was described as clean-shaven and wearing a white t-shirt, while the other male was bald and wearing a black t-shirt.

If anyone has any information on this crime is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit a tip online at www.888TIPS.com.  The caller will receive a cash reward if the suspects are arrested.

Criminal Investigations Division, Patrol Division

Fallen Officer Luther B. Prather Remembered

On September 14, 1919 Corpus Christi Police Officer Luther B. Prather was called to duty when the Hurricane of 1919 made a direct hit on Corpus Christi.  He crossed the Rincon Channel to what is now North Beach a few times rescuing victims of the storm and guiding them to refuge at the Old Nueces County Courthouse.

Officer Prather even brought a few of the victims to his own home near Mesquite and Taylor Streets, where his wife stayed with them. The water rose very quickly in Corpus Christi Bay as the storm hit and while attempting to cross the Rincon Channel once more while escorting a small child and several adults, Prater was swept into the bay where all were drowned.

A true hero, Officer Prather was born in 1886 and had worked for the Department since approximately 1914. Please take a moment today to remember Officer Prater in your thoughts and prayers.

Adam District

Woman’s Request to go to Jail Granted

Alejandro Lopez
Ashley Nicole Quintanilla

Occurred on 9/13/12,  9:10 am  Assault   4605 Molina      1209130036

A woman’s morning got off to a rough start when she was cursed at by her intoxicated neighbor as she left to drop off her daughter at school.  Upon her return, the woman asked her neighbor not to use profanity in her daughter’s presence.

Alexandro Lopez (06/20/86) walked over to the woman’s home accompanied by his brother and his brother’s girlfriend, Ashley Quintanilla (12/15/91) and began arguing with the woman.  The confrontation escalated and the woman was assaulted by Quintanilla, while the bothers stood by and watched. The victim sustained a busted lip and minor facial injuries.

Lopez and Quintanilla were detained while Officers conducted their investigation.   Quintanilla tired of the “drama” requested to be taken to jail when told charges could be filed against her.  She was arrested and charged with Assault which is a Class “A” Misdemeanor punishable by a year in jail and a $4,000 fine.

Lopez was also booked at the City Detention Center and charged with Public Intoxication.

Criminal Investigations Division, Delta District

Police Search for Three Men Involved in Robbery

Occurred on 9/13/12, 8:18 pm  Aggravated Robbery  Staples Street/Mustang Trail    1209130132

Officers responded to an assault in progress call and arrived to find a 46-year-old man covered in blood.  The victim’s injuries included a laceration to his left eye, a broken jaw, and other facial injuries. He was taken to Spohn Memorial by CCFD Emergency Personnel

Further investigation revealed the victim was assaulted by three men and his backpack taken.  The first suspect is described as a White male, 5’6” feet tall and weighing 145 lbs.  He was last seen wearing only black shorts.  A second suspect is described as a Hispanic male, 5’9” feet tall and weighing 160 lbs.  He was last seen wearing a red t-shirt with lettering on it.  The victim was unable to provide a description of the third man.

Anyone with information on this crime is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit a tip online at www.888TIPS.com.  The caller will earn a cash reward if the suspects are arrested.

Charlie District, Criminal Investigations Division

Man Charged with Injury to a Child, Bond Set at $175,000

Irving Eugene Patrick

Occurred on 8/27/12, 11:23 pm  Injury to a Child  4445 Cedar Pass Road  1208270193/1209120121

Police were called to the Cedar Pass Road residence for a child who was having difficulty breathing.  Officers and CCFD Emergency Personnel arrived to find an unconscious two-year-old child and rushed her to Driscoll Children’s Hospital.

Further investigation revealed the child had sustained head trauma, a broken rib, burns to her body which resulted in her hospitalization.  Detectives with the Police Department’s Crimes Against Children Unit took over the investigation and obtained a warrant for the child’s foster parent.

On 9/12/12, Irving Eugene Patrick (07/30/66) was arrested at his home by the Gulf Coast Violent Offender and Fugitive Task Force.  He was booked at the City Detention Center and charged with the outstanding warrant for Injury to a Child.  Patrick’s bond was set at $175,000.

Charlie District, Community Outreach

Policeman Moonlights as Firefighter

Occurred on 9/12/12, 6:27pm  House Fire   6209 Beckford Circle  1209120138    

Officer E. Smith was dispatched to Beckford Circle for a garage fire.  He arrived to find two neighbors using water hoses to put out the fire.  The Officer feared the home would be destroyed if the flames reached the rooftop.  He retrieved the fire extinguisher from his police car and entered the burning garage, crouching to remain underneath the smoke.  He began extinguishing the fire, but had to exit the garage for a breath of fresh air.  He immediately returned to battle the flames until CCFD arrived. Officers report no one was injured  in the fire.

This is another example of Officers using the tools issued to them as mandated by Chief Simpson to create a safer community.

Community Outreach, Patrol Division

ASIS International Honors First Responders

Senior Officer Vela and his wife Espie

Corpus Christi Police Officer J. Vela was honored by the Texas Gulf Coast Chapter #108 of ASIS International.  Senior Officer Vela, a 28 year veteran and respected member of the Police Department was recognized for his work in the community and dogged pursuit and apprehension of wanted fugitives.  Officer Vela’s commitment to the City of Corpus Christi is only surpassed by his devotion to his family.

ASIS International, one of the largest organizations for security professionals is dedicated to advancing and improving security performance.  They have designated September as First Responders Appreciation Month for local Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters.

Also recognized were Corpus Christi Firefighter J. Keller and Nueces County Sherriff’s Deputy C.J. Guzman.  The three first responders were awarded plaques naming them ASIS International’s First Annual Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighter of the Year.  The noon awards luncheon was held at the BBQ Man, 4931 IH 37.

Bravo District

Unhelmeted Motorcyclist Seriously Injured

Occurred on 9/12/12, 12:27 pm  Major Accident C1206948

Police were called to the area of Cimarron Boulevard and Wooldridge Road for an accident involving a blue 1995 Chevrolet pick-up truck and a blue 2009 Suzuki Colt motorcycle.  Further investigation revealed the 29-year-old driver of the pick-up turned left from Wooldridge Road onto Cimarron Boulevard and collided with the motorcyclist who was traveling west bound on Wooldridge Road.  The motorcycle struck the truck’s right passenger side.

The 21-year-old motorcyclist was seriously injured and rushed to Spohn Memorial by CCFD Emergency Personnel.  No additional information on his condition is available at this time.

The driver of the truck was cited for Failure to Yield Right of Way~Turning Left.

Delta District

Woman Knocked Unconscious During “Beer Argument”

Wesley Striplin

Occurred on 9/10/12, 5:54 p.m.  Aggravated Assault    1419 Laredo   1209100135Police were called to 1419 Laredo for a fight in which a female had been assaulted.  Officer P. Martinez arrived to find a 55-year-old unconscious woman lying on the ground and bleeding from her head.  She was taken to Spohn Memorial by CCFD Emergency Personnel with non-life threatening injuries.

Further investigation revealed the woman and Wesley Striplin (03/26/43) had a disagreement over beer.  The victim slapped Striplin and he struck over the head with a beer bottle.  Striplin was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, a 2nd Degree Felony  punishable by up to 20 years in jail and a $10,000 fine.