All posts by Senior Officer Julia Hernandez-Garcia

Community Outreach

Photos of IHOP Robbery Suspect Released

Date:  November 4, 2013,  7:32pm
Location:  5202 SPID http://goo.gl/maps/yV1ug
Event:  Aggravated Robbery
Case Number:  1311040152

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Two IHOP employees reported to Police they were robbed at knife point by a masked man.  The suspect wearing a mask walked in the back door and forced the manager to open the safe.  The robber then fled out the back door taking an undetermined amount of money.  No one was injured during the robbery.

The suspect is described as a tall man, standing 5’11” to 6’2” feet tall and weighing 220 to 240 lbs.  He was last wearing a hoodie, blue jean shorts, with black and white shoes.

Anyone with information on this crime is 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 suspect is identified and arrested.

Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division

Man Charged in Larkspur Shooting

Date:  November 5, 2013, 4:12pm
Location:  4800 block of Larkspur
Event:  Aggravated Assault w/a Deadly Weapon
Case Number:  1311050118

Corpus Christi Police were called to the 4800 block of Larkspur Lane for a shooting with several shots being fired.  Upon their arrival, Officers discovered two individuals had sustained injuries from the gunfire.  A 43-year-old man had been shot in the right ankle and a 39-year-old woman had a gunshot wound to the right arm.  Both were taken to Spohn Memorial with non-life threatening injuries. 

The suspect Rafael Cantu (03/04/37) surrendered himself to Officers and was taken into custody.  He was taken to Police Headquarters for questioning.  Further investigation revealed the 43-year-old man was Cantu’s son and the woman an innocent bystander. 

Cantu was arrested and charged with one count of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon~Family Violence which is a 1st Degree Felony and one count of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon which is a 2nd Degree Felony.  A 1st Degree Felony is punishable by up to 99 years in prison, while the 2nd Degree Felony is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.  If found guilty, a $10,000 fine can be assessed on each charge.

Community Outreach

CCPD’s Explorer Post #133 Win First Place Honors

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On Saturday, October 19th, the Corpus Christi Police Explorer Post #133 competed at Southwest High School in San Antonio, TX in the Alamo City Explorer Competition.  A total 17 Explorers traveled up to the competition, with three teams competing.  

We are proud to announce that all three teams brought home a trophy: 1st place in Academics, 1st place Bomb Scene, 3rd place Crime Scene, and 3rd place Arrest Search & Seizure. Congratulations to everyone that competed, and the  Advisory team.

On Sunday, October 20th, a well deserved reward all 17 Explorers were treated to a fun-filled day at Six Flags Fiesta Texas Fright Fest.

Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division

Call 888-TIPS if you know these women

Date: August 29, 2013, 1:50pm
Location:  5488 SPID http://goo.gl/maps/pke53
Event:  Credit Card Abuse
Case Number:  1309300047

Corpus Christ Police Detectives are asking the public’s assistance to help identify  two women who were involved in using stolen credit cards at several local businesses.

Clips of the store surveillance video have been uploaded to the CorpusChristiPD YouTube account at http://youtu.be/UcCmHluzsqQ.  Detectives are specifically looking to identify the woman in white and wearing  dark-colored sunglasses.

 Anyone with any information on this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at www.888TIPS.com. Tipsters will earn a cash reward if the suspect is identified or arrested.

 

Adam District, Bravo District, Charlie District, Delta District, Patrol Division

Patrol Report for November 4, 2013

Adam District

Date:  November 4, 2013, 1:57pm
Location:  13434 Leopard Street http://goo.gl/maps/LbxHW
Event:  Absconder
Case Number: 1311040096

PatrickLeeGrantDelta Officer T. Bean was off-duty when she noticed a wanted suspect at the Sprint Store at 13434 Leopard. She contacted on-duty Officers who responded. Patrick Grant (12/22/94) was found walking in the parking lot and detained. 

He was arrested and booked at the City Detention Center.  Grant was charged with an outstanding warrant for Juvenile Abscond While on Parole. 

Adam Lt. Michael Garcia commended Officer Bean stating, “Excellent work on being vigilant even when off-duty.”

Bravo District

Date:  November 4, 2013, 8:18pm
Location:  6225 S.P.I.D. http://goo.gl/maps/Lp7AC
Event:  Injured Party
Case Number:  1311040157

A 28-year-old man was pulled out of the hotel swimming pool after he was observed to be unconscious under water.   CCFD Emergency Personnel worked to resuscitate him and he was taken to Bay Area Hospital where he was admitted in very serious condition. 

Date:  November 4, 2013, 2:05 pm
Location:  Commodores Drive/SPID http://goo.gl/maps/v1kki
Event:  Wanted
Case Number:  1311040102
SarahAshleyBallAn Officer working traffic enforcement stopped a speeding Chevrolet Avalanche and found the driver, Sarah Ashley Ball (07/28/82), to be wanted out of Nueces County.  Bell was arrested and charged with an outstanding Nueces County warrant for Probation Violation on a Dangerous Drugs charge.

Charlie District

Date:  November 4, 2013, 2:40pm
Location:  5600 Weber Road http://goo.gl/maps/iMKAy
Event:  Major Accident w/a Pedestrian              
Case Number:  C1307754

A 14-year-old juvenile male ran across heavy traffic on Weber and was struck by a Hyundai Sonata SUV.  The juvenile sustained a large cut to his head and road rash.  He was taken to Driscoll Children’s Hospital by CCFD Emergency Personnel. Officers checking the juvenile report he was conscious and alert.  The 30-year-old driver was not cited.

Date:  November 4, 2013,  7:32pm
Location:  5202 SPID http://goo.gl/maps/yV1ug
Event:  Aggravated Robbery
Case Number:  1311040152

Two IHOP employees reported to Police they were robbed at knife point by a masked man.  The suspect wearing a mask walked in the back door and forced the manager to open the safe.  The robber then fled out the back door taking an undetermined amount of money.  No one was injured during the robbery.

The suspect is described as a tall man, standing 5’11” to 6’2” feet tall and weighing 220 to 240 lbs.  He was last wearing a hoodie, blue jean shorts, with black and white shoes.

Anyone with information on this crime is 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 suspect is identified and arrested.

Delta District

Date:  November 4, 2013, 0930 
Location:  1900 S Staples Street http://goo.gl/maps/XO9Y9
Event:  Aggravated Robbery
Case Number:  1311040086

A 40-year-old woman told Officers she was robbed as she walked to the store in the 1900 block of 15th Street by two men who drove up next to her in a white sports utility vehicle.  The male passenger exited the SUV and demanded her purse.  A struggle ensued over the purse and the driver but the man drew a firearm and the woman let go the purse.  Both men fled in the SUV.

The first suspect is described as a slim bald Hispanic male wearing a pair of black sunglasses, a blue muscle shirt with khaki shorts and black Nike shoes.  The second suspect is described as a Hispanic male wearing a pair of black sunglasses, a black muscle shirt with khaki pants and white shoes.  The vehicle is described as a white Ford Expedition with a dent on the driver’s side and tinted windows.

Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit a tip online at http://www.888TIPS.com.  Tipsters will earn a cash reward if the suspect is identified and arrested.

Date:  November 4, 2013, 12:01am
Location:  597 Old Brownsville Road http://goo.gl/maps/KbaS7
Event:  DWI
Case Number:  1311050003

JulieRamirezJulio Ramirez (11/23/80) was arrested after he was found slumped over in the driver’s seat with his vehicle parked in the roadway.  Officer found the Ramirez’s Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck with the engine still on.  Ramirez appeared intoxicated and administered Standard Field Sobriety and Breath Tests.  He was arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated.

Date:  November 4, 2013, 01:57am
Location:  5000 Old Brownsville Road
Event:  DWI
Case Number:  1311050012

JoseSamaniegoAn Officer observed Jose Samaniego (09/26/68) stopped in the roadway. When he attempted to contact Samaniego, he slowly drove forward.   Once Samaniego pulled over he was found to be intoxicated and in possession of an open bottle of beer.  Standard Field Sobriety Tests were administered and a Blood Warrant obtained.  Samaniego was arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated/Open Alcohol Container. 

Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division, Delta District

Man Thinks He Got Away

Date:  October 17, 2013, 09:14am
Location: 4451 Baldwin Boulevard http://goo.gl/maps/iQd0Y
Event:  Theft
Case Number:  1310170041

Corpus Christi Property Crimes Detectives are asking the public’s assistance to help identify a young man who walked into the business selling baked goods and stole a wallet from the victim’s purse.  The suspect is wearing blue jeans and a dark-colored t-shirt with a white undershirt.

A clips of the surveillance video have been uploaded to the CorpusChristiPD YouTube account at http://youtu.be/T2rRWRD4R8Q.

 Anyone with any information on this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at www.888TIPS.com. Tipsters will earn a cash reward if the suspect is identified or arrested.
Community Outreach

National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week

thankyoudogcatIn celebration of National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week during the week of November 3-9, 2013,  Corpus Christi Animal Care Services is lowering adoption fees of all animals to $25 from Monday, November 4th to Saturday, November 9th. This fee includes spay/neuter surgery, age appropriate vaccinations, and microchip. 

Corpus Christi Animal Care Services encourages pet lovers to reach out and support their local shelters and rescue groups. Approximately 3,500 animal shelters across the United States serve the estimated 6-8 million homeless animals who need refuge each year, and many more animals find themselves in need of the services provided by local rescue groups. 

Corpus Christi Animal Care Services encourages people to become acquainted with their local shelter and dedicated employees. To learn more about the daily events and community education promoted by Animal Care Services, please see their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/corpuschristianimalcareservices.

Adam District, Bravo District, Charlie District, Patrol Division

Patrol District Report for November 4, 2013

Adam District

Date:  November 3, 20132, 3:10pm
Location:   8151 Leopard Street http://goo.gl/maps/Q9Zx1
Event:  Burglary of  a Building
Case Number:   1311030124

Officers were dispatched to the Feliz Amancer #3 when a passer-by noticed the drive thru door was open.  Store surveillance revealed the suspect broke the drive thru window and unlocked the door.  Once inside the suspect opened the “empty” register.

Anyone with any information on this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit a tip online at http://www.888TIPS.com.  Tipsters will be paid a cash reward if the suspect is arrested.

Date:  November 3, 2013, 8:50pm
Location:   4551 Violet Road http://goo.gl/maps/tIhQV
Event:  Burglary of a  Building
Case Number:  1311030155

Police responded to a burglary alarm at the Feliz Amancer #2 and discovered the drive thru window to the restaurant had been damaged.  Store surveillance showed two suspects approach the door and break the window, but were deterred when the alarm sounded.

Anyone with any information on this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit a tip online at http://www.888TIPS.com.  Tipsters will be paid a cash reward if the suspect is arrested.

Bravo District

Date:  November 3, 2013, 7:07 am
Location:  5757 Wooldridge Road http://goo.gl/maps/f7IGZ
Event:  Auto Burglary
Case Number:  1311030144

JamesAustinLewallenA 25-year-old Saratoga Cove Apartment resident walked out to his Chevrolet Malibu as he headed out for dinner and found James Austin Lewallen (06/05/71) inside his vehicle.  Lewallen attempted to flee, but was detained by the victim and a couple of his friends.

Lewallen was arrested and charged with Burglary of a Vehicle.  The victim’s loose change found on Lewallen was returned to the victim.

Charlie District

Date:  November 3, 2013, 7:15am
Location:  2000 Rosalie http://goo.gl/maps/HJJiy
Event:  Injury to Elderly/Assault Public Servant
Case Number:  1311030145

DeborahMoralesPolice responding to an assault determined Deborah Morales (02/08/72) assaulted her 70-year-old mother when she was unable to find her beer or her dinner.  Morales punched, kicked, and slapped her mother.

The elderly woman was able to escape and Police were called.  Upon their arrival, Officers found Morales, who appeared intoxicated inside the home.  Morales was being escorted outside when she began to struggle and attempted to run from Officers.  She tripped on the walkway and fell onto a recycling bin. Morales continued to kick and scratch at Officers as she resisted.  She continued to be uncooperative and refused to identify herself.

 Morales was booked at the City Detention Center and charged with Injury Child/Elderly~Hand,Fist,Feet, Assault Causes Bodily Injury Public Servant, Resisting Arrest, and Failure to Identify.

Date:  November 3, 2013, 8:41pm,
Location:  1301 Airline Road http://goo.gl/maps/BZOf4
Event:  Hit and Run
Case Number: 1311030152/C1307748

Officers worked a major accident the Walgreens involving a 50-year-old homeless man who told Police he was walking through the parking when he was struck.  A witness advised Officers a white van struck the man and then sped away.   The man was taken to Spohn Memorial with non-life threatening injuries.

Anyone with any information on this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit a tip online at http://www.888TIPS.com.  Tipsters will be paid a cash reward if the suspect is arrested.

Community Outreach

Birdnapped Parrot Rescued

Date:  November 1, 2013, 2:14am
Location:  3950 Leopard Street http://goo.gl/maps/FTzH6
Event:  Burglary of a Building
Case Number: 1311010016

Santiago Zapata
Santiago Zapata

Senior Officer C. Daggett was patrolling the Saxet Business Park when he heard an audible alarm and discovered the front glass doors to BJ’s Famous Uniforms had been smashed with a rock.  At the same time, Officer G. Gutierrez,  who was nearby, observed Santiago Zapata (11/16/63) carrying a parrot wrapped in a blanket.

“Scarlet” was rescued and returned to her cage which was secured with Senior Officer Daggett’s handcuffs until someone arrived to secure the building.

According to Lt. Phillip Bintliff, “Not only did surveillance video capture the burglary, but “Scarlet” was able to positively identify her birdnapper.”

Zapata was arrested and charged with Burglary of a Building.

 

Criminal Intelligence Unit, Criminal Investigations Division, Patrol Division

Local Man Gets 20 Years for Producing Child Pornography

(Courtesy of USATXS-Public Affairs Atty)

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Charlie Hernandez, 36, of Corpus Christi, has been ordered to serve 240 months in federal prison following his conviction of sexual exploitation of a child, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson. He pleaded guilty Aug. 1, 2013.

Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzalez Ramos handed Hernandez the 20-year-term to be immediately followed by 10 years of supervised release. The court heard from the victim’s mother who described the destruction that the defendant’s crimes have wrought upon her family. The mother explained how the her child wanted to be at the hearing to speak to the court but was too emotionally distraught to appear. She spoke of the negative effects on the emotional and financial well-being of herself, her victimized child and other members of her family. The mother explained that in addition to the psychological damage Hernandez has caused, she had also suffered a heart attack since learning of the crime, despite being in good health and only 34 years of age. The victim’s mother urged the court to hold Hernandez accountable for his crime and all of the pain it has caused.  In determining an appropriate sentence, the court considered the lasting harm done to the victim as well as the need to protect the public from Hernandez in the future.

On May 10, 2013, an officer with the Corpus Christi Police Department (CCPD) responded to a sexual assault call, at which time he spoke to the victim, a juvenile female relative of Hernandez. She stated that he had been sexually abusing her for four years, which had progressed from peeping to rape.

Hernandez was arrested and admitted to the abuse as well as creating sexually explicit photographs of his victim with a cell phone. The cell phone was recovered during a search of his office, which led to the discovery of some of the sexually explicit images.

Hernandez has been in custody since his arrest on June 24, 2013, where he will remain pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

This case, investigated by the Corpus Christi Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lance Duke, was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

Angela Dodge
Public Affairs Officer