All posts by Senior Officer Julia Hernandez-Garcia

Charlie District, Delta District

Can You Identify This Phone Thief?? Call Crime Stoppers and Earn Some Cash!

Occurred on 6/24/12, 12:42 pm   Wal-Mart  4109 S. Staples  Street  1206240074

The Corpus Christi Police Department is asking your assistance in identifying a Hispanic female responsible for the theft of a cell phone at a local Wal-Mart.  Surveillance video shows the victim place her phone on the counter and proceeds to pay.  After she places her merchandise in the shopping cart she fails to retrieve her phone.

A woman accompanied by a man and their little girl are seen checking out afterwards.  The female sees the phone and quickly picks it up hiding it in her purse.  She exits the store with the man and little girl.  The woman is described as a Hispanic female, 30 to 40 years of age, 5’6″ to 5’8″ feet tall, and weighing 250 lbs.  The man is described as a Hispanic male about 40 years of age, 5’9″ to 6′ feet tall, and weighing 250 to 280 lbs.  The three are seen exiting the store and leaving in a late-model Ford F-150 extended cab.

Anyone with any information on this crime is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or login online at www.888TIPS.com .  Tipsters will receive a cash reward if the suspect is arrested.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/RrhUfC2xWXU

Charlie District, Community Outreach

Man Arrested In Connection with Passing Counterfeit $100 Bills, Two Others Sought

Hector Arthur Ruiz

Occurred on 7/8/12, 3:30 pm   Forgery     5400 SPID Moore Plaza     1207080090/1207080097/1207080100/1207080106/1207080113 

Officers responded to World Market at Moore Plaza for counterfeit money being used.   Upon their arrival, Officers located the unoccupied suspect vehicle in the Marshall’s parking lot.  Officers set up on the vehicle and waited for the suspects.  Shortly thereafter, Hector Ruiz (08/13/1985) was seen driving away in the vehicle and pulled him over.

Further investigation revealed, Ruiz along with his two accomplices were involved in passing forged $100 bills to several stores in the Moore Plaza shopping center.  Officers were able to confirm World Market, Rue 21, Kirkland’s, Pets Mart, and Bed, Bath and Beyond were victims of the counterfeiters.  Several other business in the shopping center have been contacted as possible victims.

Ruiz was arrested and charged with five counts of Forgery of a Government Instrument/Money/Securities along with Manufacture with Intent to Sell Counterfeit Instruments.  Each charge is a 3rd Degree Felony and punishable by up to 10 years and a fine up to $10,000.  During their impound inventory, Officers found a laptop, printer and scanner along with store merchandise inside the vehicle.  His two accomplices are still outstanding.  The second suspect is described as a Hispanic female, 24 years of age, 5’2″ feet tall with black hair and brown eyes.  The third suspect is described as Hispanic male with designs on one side of his hair and dressed in black.

The Corpus Christi Financial Crimes Unit along with the United States Secret Service who handles counterfeit money crimes will be working closely together to conduct a thorough investigation.  They recommend you visit the Secret Service website at http://www.secretservice.gov/money_detect.shtml to guard yourself against counterfeiters.

Anyone with any information on this crime is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or login online and submit a tip.  Callers will earn a cash reward if the suspects are charged with a crime.

Delta District

Elderly Driver Fails to Control Car Strikes Home

Occurred on 7/8/12, 8:50 p.m.  Major Accident 1209 17th Street  C1205219 

Officers responded to 1209 17th Street for a major accident in which a 77-year-old man driving a silver Kia Rio exited the freeway and hit the home.  

Further investigation revealed the driver who was traveling southbound on 1200 Hwy 286 failed to stay in one land and jumped the curb, striking a “Do Not Enter” street sign.  The victim overcorrected, crossed back over the exit ramp,  and jumped the curb.  He then drove through a gate and fence, striking the residence. 

According to Lt. D. Moore, “the collision caused extensive damage to both the house and the vehicle.”  The driver was taken to Spohn Memorial with pain to his hip.  He was cited for Failure to Maintain a Single Lane.

Bravo District

77-Year-Old Woman Assaulted When She Defends Her Son

Occurred on 7/7/12, 10:59 p.m.  Aggravated Assault  5801 Cain 1207070181

A 50-year-old male told Officers a man and a woman showed up at the family home looking for his sister.  An argument ensued which led to the victim being assaulted by the pair.  The victim was punched by the male and knocked to the ground where the female continued the assault by hitting him with a baton like stick.

The victim’s 77-year-old mother intervened in attempt to help her son, but she herself became a victim when the female suspect turned on her. The elderly female was struck in the chest with the stick.  Her son sustained bruises to his face and right arm. 

The first suspect is described as a White female, 43 years of age, 5’10” feet tall, and weighing 130 lbs.  The second suspect was described as White male, 25 to 50 years of age, 5’6” feet tall and weighing 230 to 250 lbs.

Anyone with any information on this crime is encouraged to call Crimes Stoppers at 888-TIPS or login online at www.888TIPS.com .  Tipsters will be paid a cash reward if the suspects are arrested.

Delta District

Man Arrested in Connection with Crime Spree

Juan Candia Clark

 

Occurred on 7/5/12, 9:32 am  Terroristic Threats 5300 Carroll Lane 1207050046/1207050059/1207050061 

Juan Candia Clark’s (11/21/72) “crime spree” began early Thursday morning when he along with another male began threatening the victim and smashing the windows to the her silver Cadillac.  The suspect also slashed the victim’s tires.  Clark also rammed the victim’s apartment with his vehicle.  Clark who was accompanied by another male continued to shatter the windows to his own vehicle before fleeing.  Clark later called the victim and threatened to blow up the house.  

At 9:45 am, Officers contacted the victim who reported she heard a loud crashing sound and looked outside to fine a white SUV had driven onto her driveway.  The driver of the vehicle rammed his SUV into her parked gray Mitsubishi Galant multiples times before driving off.

Shortly thereafter, Officers were advised of a drunk driver in the area of S. Padre Island Drive and Carroll Lane.  This vehicle matched the same description of the vehicle involved in both crimes.  Officers pulled over the vehicle and contacted Juan Candia Clark (11/21/72) who appeared to be intoxicated.

He was administered a Standard Field Sobriety Test and a warrant was obtained for a blood specimen.  Clark was arrested and charged with an outstanding Municipal Court warrant for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility, Driving While Intoxicated, two counts of Criminal Mischief, and Terroristic Threats.

Charlie District

Speeding Motorist Arrested for DWI

Occurred on 7/6/12, 02:02 am  Driving While Intoxicated     Cedar Pass/Sunwood Drives  1207060019   

An Officer patrolling his beat heard a vehicle’s engine being revved very loudly.  He looked in the direction of the sound and observed a red Chevrolet Tahoe traveling Westbound in the 5300 block of Lipes in excess of 80 mph.  

The Officer reports the Tahoe fishtailed when it hit a dip in the roadway.  The Tahoe struck and jumped the curb and continued to spin out of control once it returned onto the roadway.  The Tahoe came to a stop and the Officer pulled in front of  it and blocked him. 

Thomas Michael Goralczyk (02/14/89) was contacted and appeared to be intoxicated. He was administered Standard Field Sobriety Tests and a Blood Draw.  Goralczyk was arrested and booked at the City Detention Center.  He was charged with Driving While Intoxicated. 

A passenger in the SUV told Officers he didn’t try hard enough to take the keys away from Goralczyk and made a bad decision in letting him drive.  He was taken home by Officers.

Charlie District

Auto Burglar Charged with Four Counts of Burglary

Joseph Bailey

Occurred on 7/6/12, 03:05 am  Burglary of a Vehicle   4600 Prescott    1207060026 

Callers called police to report suspicious person dressed in black clothing, looking into cars. Officers found a suspect matching the description and detained him.  Joseph Bailey (09/22/93) was arrested after he was positively identified. 

The victim told Officers Bailey was burglarized a White Nissan and a red Jeep Cherokee.  Another witness observed Bailey attempt to burglarize a yellow Camaro, but found the vehicle was locked and walked away.  A silver Plymouth Breeze and a blue Hyundai were also found rummaged through with documents and property inside the vehicle on the ground outside of the vehicles. 

Officers found a couple of receipts on Bailey possibly belonging to other victims.  Bailey was booked at the City Detention Center and charged with four counts of Burglary of a Vehicle.  

Further investigation revealed the vehicles Bailey burglarized were left unlocked.  According to the Texas Auto Burglary & Theft Authority a car is burglarized in Texas every 2½ minutes. An auto burglary can be deterred if the car owner leaves nothing inside and locks the car.  Other tips to follow include:

  • If your must leave belongings, hide them from sight.
  • Never park in unattended or poor lit parking lots.
  • Do not keep your vehicle registration in your car.
  • Do not leave outgoing or incoming mail in our car, especially where visible.
  • Avoid leaving the garage door opener in your car.
  • Never leave your vehicle or house keys in your car.
  • Be aware of suspicious persons.

Remember, the best way to avoid becoming a victim of auto burglary is to be proactive.   For additional information on auto burglary and auto theft prevention, please contact Crime Prevention Advisor Brenda Moreno at 361-886-2675.

Delta District

Driver Tired of Waiting Almost Hits Officer Directing Traffic After July 4th Fireworks

Mayme Fivecoat

Occurred on 7/4/12, 11:00 pm  Driving While Intoxicated with a Child  3700 Surfside  1207040145

Officers directing traffic for the fireworks at the USS Lexington observed a vehicle traveling Northbound on Beach Avenue passing other vehicles in the opposite direction of travel.  The driver was attempting to avoid waiting with other vehicles as they left North Beach.  The Officer asked Mayme Fivecoat (02/02/79 ) to pull over due to the heavy traffic flow.  Fivecoat sped towards the Officer’s almost pinning him between vehicles when he drew his weapon and ordered her to stop.

When the Officer contacted Fivecoat she appeared to be intoxicated and again tried to leave forcing the Officer to reach in and turn the vehicle off.  Another Officer rushed over to assist  and Fivecoat was arrested.  Officers found a sleeping 6-year-old child in the rear seat sleeping in his safety seat.

Fivecoat was administered Standard Field Sobriety Tests and a Breath Test and arrested.  She was charged with Driving While Intoxicated with Child and Driving While License Suspended/Invalid.   The child who was uninjured  was released to an Uncle.

 

Bravo District

SUV Plunges Into the Packery Channel, Both Occupents Uninjured

Occurred on 7/4/12, 3:02 am  Accident  1207040025/C1205096 

Officers responded to the Packery Channel where a witness reported a gray Mazda Tribute was driving toward the jetties, but failed to stop and launched the vehicle into the water.  Two Hispanic males were seen swimming towards shore approximately 20 feet from the vehicle’s location. 

The men told the witness they were the only ones in the SUV and left.  Officers searched the area, but both men were nowhere to be found.  Shortly thereafter, a supervisor was waved down at the Stripes Convenience Store located at 14526 S. Padre Island Drive and told both the driver and the passenger was inside the store. 

Both 19-year-old’s were both found to be sober and identified.  They were both released pending further investigation.  The driver could face a charge of Duty on Striking Fixture/Hwy Landscaping, a Class “B” Misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. 

Later that morning at approximately 8:00 am, the vehicle was removed from the water by the Police Department’s Dive Team.  The vehicle was unoccupied and confirmed the driver and passenger’s account.   Representatives of The Texas General Land Office, the Coast Guard, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and Packery Patrol were present during the removal of the vehicle.

Bravo District

Who’s Laughing Now??

Occurred on 7/3/12, 10:49 pm  Theft of Beer/Wanted Subject  4302 S Alameda    1207030166

 An off duty Officer was at the Stripe Convenience Store located at 4302 S. Alameda when he observed a man carrying some beer, laughing as he ran out the store.  The store clerk following the man ordering him to stop.  The Officer realizing it was a beer run followed the man as he ran to the back of the store.

The man entered a waiting a blue Ford Taurus and fled the area.  The Officer jumped in his car and followed the Taurus and called police providing them with location information.  The Officer observed the suspect dispose of the stolen beer on Brock Drive and Alameda.  The suspect bailed out of the car and fled on foot, followed by the off-duty Officer to Burkshire and Meadowbrook where the beer thief, Justin Montes (09/15/83)was taken into custody.

The 18-pack of beer was returned to the store and Montes arrested.  He was charged with Theft, a Class “C” Misdemeanor and an outstanding Parole Violation warrant.