All posts by Kirk Stowers

Community Outreach

Police Remember John Sartain

John William Sartain
End of Watch: August 20, 1971

The Corpus Christi Police Department remembers Patrol Officer John William Sartain who was shot and killed by a sniper on August 20, 1971 at 11pm.

Officer Sartain walked to his patrol unit to begin his shift with partner, Gilbert Lazo. A 16 year old sniper shot Officer Sartain in the head from an apartment 200 yards away. Officer Sartain was 22 years of age and is survived by a wife and daughter.

The sniper pled not guilty to the charges and was convicted and sentenced to 50 years in 1971. He was later paroled in 1984.

Corpus Christi’s founder, Henry L. Kinney, named many of the city streets after nature, including one of the city’s original streets; Laguna St. Laguna St. was renamed in 1991 as John Sartain St.

Community Outreach, Delta District

Police Launch Internal Investigation into Animal Control Incident

On July 30th, 2012 a CCPD Patrol Officer and Animal Control Officer responded to an address on the 3600 block of Wright Street to investigate an allegation of animal neglect. Upon their arrival officers discovered the carcass of dog that appeared to have died due to neglect, ie-lack of adequate water, shade, etc.. The Animal Control Officer impounded a second dog that also appeared to be neglected, while the Patrol Officer generated an incident report for animal cruelty against the dogs’ owner. A necropsy was later conducted upon the deceased dog and the veterinarian determined it had died due to dehydration and excessive body heat. On or about July 31st, the animal cruelty case was forwarded to the District Attorney’s office Misdemeanor section for prosecution.

Earlier today, the investigating Animal Control Officer and the dog’s owner appeared in Municipal Court for a hearing regarding the impounded dog. A Municipal Court Judge ruled to release the impounded animal back to the owner, assessing impound fees and associated costs. The Animal Control Officer returned to the Animal Control Facility, where he discovered that the impounded dog had been inadvertently euthanized on August 16th, 2012 by another Animal Control Employee. Paperwork associated with the animal clearly indicated that the dog was being held pending the August 17th municipal court hearing and could not be euthanized prior to August 28, 2012. The incident was brought to the attention of Animal Control Supervisors, who referred the incident to the Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit for investigation. The employee in question has been reassigned duties within Animal Control pending the outcome of the investigation, which could result in discipline up to and including demotion, suspension or termination.

“I am just as upset as those in the community over this needless destruction of an animal in our custody,” stated Commander Todd Green, whose duties include the supervision of Animal Care and Control Services. “I assure you that we will conduct a thorough investigation into this incident and take whatever corrective measures are appropriate to ensure that this never occurs again.” Commander Green added that since the Police Department assumed responsibility over Animal Care and Control in January of the year, it has made tremendous strides forward toward improved service, but this is certainly an unacceptable event and will not be tolerated.

Bravo District, Criminal Investigations Division, Patrol Division

Police Seek Thief In Scrubs

    

Occurred Saturday, July 28, 2012, 19:52, 1250 Flour Bluff Drive, Theft, 1207280131

The Corpus Christi Police Property Crimes Investigators would like help from the public to identify and locate the individual responsible for a theft at the Wal-Mart in Flour Bluff on July 28.

A man was captured on security cameras as he entered the store. The man got a plastic storage container,placed pillows in the container, then filled the container with electronics and left the store without paying for the merchandise. The total value of the items stolen was $1,091.

Corpus Christi Police Investigators believe this individual has conducted several thefts in this manner. The man is described as a man who wears scrubs each time he commits theft, 25-35 years of age, 5 foot 8 inches tall about 185 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. The man got into a silver 4 door Cadillac that waited for him with an accomplice that operated the car.

Anyone with additional information to identify and locate this person should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit an online tip at www.888TIPS.com. If the information leads to an arrest it could earn you a cash reward.

Community Outreach, Criminal Intelligence Unit

Police Believe Kidnapper May Be In The Corpus Christi Area

Aaron Cox
Cara Cox with age progression

The United States Marshall’s Office has provided photographs of 53-year-old Aaron Cox who is wanted by the Volusia County, Florida Sheriff’s Office for non-custodial parental abduction and may be living in the Corpus Christi area under a false name.

Cox kidnapped his daughter, Cara Cox, on August 14, 2009 when she was 8 years old. Cox kidnapped his 8-year-old daughter from her mother in Florida. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has provided an age accelerated photograph of Cara Cox to show what she may look like today at age 11.

Aaron Cox is 53 years old and is described as a white man, 5ft. 8inches tall, 145 pounds, with brown eyes and gray hair.

Anyone with any information to locate Aaron or Cara Cox, call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit an online tip at www.888TIPS.com. If the information leads to an arrest, it could earn you a cash reward.

 

Delta District, Patrol Division

Man Faces Criminal Charges For Death Of A Dog

Occurred Monday, July 30, 2012, 13:30, 3633 Wright Street, Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals 1207300065

A 25-year-old man is accused of cruelty to non-livestock animals, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine in relation to the death of a dog at the 3600 block of Wright Street on July 30.

Corpus Christi Police were called by neighbors of the accused man to investigate a dog on leash that was not near water, food, or shelter and appeared to be in distress. The Police Officer found the dog leashed by a chain and was exposed in the heat of the day without food or water or shade. The Officer discovered the dog was dead and the Officer contacted the 25-year-old owner of the dog who did not know the dog had died.

Corpus Christi Animal Care workers collected the dog and a necropsy was performed. The necropsy report cited the dog had excessive body temperature and was dehydrated. The criminal case has been filed with the Nueces County District Attorney’s Office.

Bravo District, Criminal Investigations Division

Police Disrupt Auto Theft Group

Occurred Wednesday, August 15, 2012, 7:45am, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, 1208150061

A 31-year-old man was arrested when he was found in a vehicle stolen from a car lot on the 4300 block of South Staples Street Wednesday morning.

Corpus Christi police were called by the manager of a car dealership on the 4300 block of Staples Street Wednesday morning to report a blue 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 truck valued at $15,000 stolen from the lot. Corpus Christi Police Officers searched the area and found the truck at an apartment complex located at the 400 block of Eldon Drive.

Detectives from the Corpus Christi Police Auto Theft Task Force watched the truck until the truck was driven away. The Detectives requested Corpus Christi Police Patrol Officers to initiate a traffic stop on the truck. The truck travelled to South Padre Island Drive and then turned into the parking lot of a business at the 4500 block of South Padre Island Drive just as Police Patrol cars arrived to attempt to initiate the traffic stop.

The operator of the truck got onto a bicycle that was in the bed of the truck and attempted to flee from police on the bike. Corpus Christi Police captured 31-year-old George Ortiz (5/21/1981) and arrested him for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Evading Arrest.

Corpus Christi Police Auto Theft Task Force Detectives identified Ortiz as part of a group of individuals responsible for 5 stolen trucks from dealerships in Corpus Christi since the beginning of June 2012. The 5 trucks are all Dodge Ram pickups and are taken with the intent to disassemble the vehicles for parts, or be sold in Mexico. Detectives continue to investigate this case and more arrests may result. Detectives encourage anyone with additional information about these crimes to call Detectives with the Auto Theft Task Force at 886-2862. Anyone with any information should not assume police have the information, and provide the information without delay.

The Corpus Christi Police Auto Theft Task Force Detectives encourage the public to be aware of a few no-cost precautions to avoid vehicle theft. One tip is to take your keys. Half of all vehicles stolen in Texas (roughly 50,000 annually) are the result of keys left in the ignition.

A second tip is to lock the doors. Half of all stolen vehicles were left unlocked. Park in well-lit areas and don’t tempt thieves by leaving valuables in sight.

Report any vehicle theft to the police immediately if your vehicle has been stolen. Be ready to provide the vehicle year, make, model, color, Vehicle Identification Number, and the license plate number to increase your chances for recovery. For more information, call 1-800-CAR-Watch or visit www.txwatchyourcar.com.

Narcotics/Vice Division

Police Seize $30,000 Worth Of Methamphetamine On McGregor Drive

Occurred Tuesday, August 14, 2012, 10:40am, 4601 McGregor Dr. Possession of a Controlled Substance, Search Warrant 1208140036                                                
Corpus Christi Police arrested two men and seized $30,000 worth of methamphetamine Tuesday morning from a house on the 4600 block of McGregor Drive.

The Corpus Christi Police Narcotics Vice Investigations Division conducted an investigation which included the use of undercover operations to obtain a search warrant for the house located at 4601 McGregor Drive. The Narcotics Vice Investigations Division were assisted by the Corpus Christi Police SWAT to safely enter the house and seize 23.7 ounces of methamphetamine which has a street value of $30,000.

The Investigators also seized a handgun in the home. Police arrested 40-year-old Adam Garcia (10/25/1971) at the home for possession of a controlled substance; a 1st degree felony. Police also arrested 34-year-old Jose Garcia (1/30/1978) at the home for a warrant for arrest for burglary.

Community Outreach, Criminal Intelligence Unit, Criminal Investigations Division

Fake Groupon Discount Offer Hides Virus

The Corpus Christi Police Financial Crimes Investigators would like to warn the public of a new email scam that infects computers with a virus.

The email that transmits a virus is presented as a shopping deal from Groupon complete with the colors, logo, and email format. The email has an attachment file called “group coupon.zip” which contains a virus designed to infect the Windows operating system.

Police advise the public to keep an updated virus software program and run a scan periodically. Anyone that questions the validity of any Groupon deal should contact the company’s customer support.

Visit the Better Business Bureau website for more information about breaking scams in our area.

Criminal Investigations Division, Delta District, Patrol Division

Woman Arrested For Role In Serious Injury To 67 Year Old Man

Occurred Wednesday, August 9, 2012, 1:00am, 1922 Violeta Court, Aggravated Assault, and Burglary with intent to commit other felony 1208090042

A 67-year-old man suffered serious injury as the result of an assault in his home Wednesday night.

A 50-year-old health care provider called Corpus Christi Police at 8:00am Wednesday morning to report an assault. The 50-year-old woman said she arrived at the 67-year-old man’s apartment and discovered the man had been injured by an unknown person overnight. The 50-year-old woman explained that she does not know the reason, but an unknown person entered the home without permission and hit the 67-year-old man in the head causing significant head trauma to the 67-year-old man.

The 67-year-old man was unable to provide details to investigators and was sent to the hospital by ambulance for medical treatment.

Corpus Christi Police Detectives developed information to identify and arrest 35-year-old Esmeralda Benavidez (11/11/1976) on Monday, August 13, 2012 for her role in the burglary of a habitation with the intent to commit other felony.

Sunday, August 12, 2012, the 67-year-old man died. The Nueces County Medical Examiner’s Office is conducting an inquiry as to the cause of death.

Corpus Christi Police Detectives continue to investigate and gather information about this crime.  Anyone with additional information about this crime should call the Corpus Christi Police Department at 886-2600. Information may be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888TIPS.com.

Charlie District, Patrol Division

Two Apprehended For Throwing Rocks At Police Car

Occurred Sunday, August 12, 2012, 4:00am, 6400 Everhart Road, Criminal Mischief 1208120041

A 14-year-old boy and a 17-year-old man were apprehended by police at 4:00am Sunday morning at an apartment complex near Everhart Road and Saratoga Boulevard for throwing rocks at a passing police patrol car.

Two officers rode together in the same patrol car when rocks struck the car and caused $350 worth of damage to the windshield. The officers stopped and found piles of rocks at the golf course adjacent to the road. The officers saw foot prints through the dew on the grass. The officers followed the footprints and then saw two people jump the fence into the Fairway Apartments. The officers demanded the two people stop, but the two disobeyed the command and officers had to chase the two through the apartment complex.

The officers apprehended the two after a short chase. Police apprehended a 14-year-old boy and a 17-year-old man. The 14-year-old boy was issued a citation for violation of night curfew and delivered to the Nueces County Juvenile Detention Center for Criminal Mischief and Evading Arrest. The 17-year-old man, Israel Olbera (12/6/1994) was issued a citation for inducing curfew and then delivered to the city detention center for Criminal Mischief and Evading Arrest.