All posts by Kirk Stowers

Criminal Investigations Division, Delta District

Corpus Christi Police Auto Theft Task Force Hosts Annual Industry Summit

Lieutenant Tommy Hansen of the Galveston County Auto Crimes Task Force speaks at the general session in the Riviera Ballroom
Harley Davidson motorcycles line Ocean Drive in preparation for the evening ride as part of the 2012 Auto Burglary & Theft Prevention Authority annual summit
The Corpus Christi Police Auto Theft Task Force has hosted the 2012 Theft Prevention Authority Annual Summit at the Omni Marina Tower located at 707 North Shoreline Boulevard.

The Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA) is a part of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles that provides oversight and financial support to the problem of auto theft in Texas. The purpose of the annual conference is to share training and update participating law enforcement agencies with industry trends and programs.

The Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority is a network of law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, insurance industry representatives, local tax assessor collectors, and concerned citizen groups. The organization was established in 1991 in the 72nd Texas Legislature to reduce auto theft. The A.B.T.P.A. organization was amended by the 80th Legislature with House Bill 1887 to include burglary.

The A.B.T.P.A. has a summit each year to protect Texans from becoming victims of auto burglary and theft. The summit this year is held in Corpus Christi from June 25 until June 28. The conference hosts a variety of experts that provide information on topics such as Vehicle Identification Number structure, managing undercover operations, salvage yard inspections, cloned vehicles, dealer laws and others.

Those at the conference participate in nightly activities to promote networking. Wednesday night the event was a Harley Davidson Ride. Those without a Harley Davidson motorcycle were provided the opportunity to rent a bike to cruise Ocean Drive and enjoy the Corpus Christi area.

The Corpus Christi Police Auto Theft Task Force is funded by grants provided by the A.B.T.P.A. The Auto Theft Bureau is located on the third floor of the Main Police Station located at 321 John Sartain, Corpus Christi Texas. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional information about this program can be found on the city website at www.cctexas.com.

Bravo District, Narcotics/Vice Division

Warrant Service On 2000 Block Of Tara Dr.

Occurred Wednesday, June 27, 2012, 6:30am, 2009 Tara Possession of Dangerous Drugs 1206270033

A 31-year-old man was arrested and contraband was seized after the Corpus Christi S.W.A.T. team served a high risk narcotics search warrant Wednesday morning for the Narcotics Vice Investigations Division at 2009 Tara Drive.

31-year-old Ernesto Benavides (10/8/1980), a known gang member, was arrested for three charges:

1. Manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance 1st degree felony punishable by up to 99 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine;

2. Possession of a controlled substance PG3 <28g Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine;

3. Felon in possession of a firearm 3rd degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Corpus Christi Police Narcotics Vice Investigations Division seized 186.46 grams (6.66oz) cocaine valued at $5,993; Alprazolam 1.3 grams valued at $20.00; Acetaminophen/hydrocodone 0.70 grams valued at $5.00; and a Sig Sauer P229 .40 caliber semiautomatic handgun.

 

Adam District, Patrol Division

Fugitive Found By Silent Patrol Officer

Occurred Wednesday, June 27, 2012, 1:23am, 4500 Elvira Road, Evading & Resisting Arrest 1206270013

A 30-year-old man was arrested on the 4500 block of Elvira Road Wednesday after a Corpus Christi Police Officer found the man peeking into cars at 1:20 in the morning.

A Corpus Christi Police Patrol Officer stopped to watch the area of the Villarreal Drive and Elvira Road in response to several recent burglaries in that neighborhood. The officer saw 30-year-old Armando Flores Jr. (8/16/1981) walk through several yards near several houses which indicated to the officer that Flores may have sought an opportunity to commit theft. The officer continued to watch the unusual behavior until Flores stopped to look into a pickup truck parked on the street. The patrol officer turned on the patrol car lights and Flores ran from the officer.

Flores ran to the front door of a house on the 4500 block of Elvira and kicked the door and slammed his shoulder into the door in an effort to break the door open. A woman inside the house yelled to get away and that she would not open the door.

The officer and Flores wrestled until Flores was placed in handcuffs. Flores was taken to the patrol car where Flores began another struggle by kicking the officer. Flores was exposed to pepper spray to stop the action.

Flores had an ankle monitor and was discovered to have a warrant for his arrest for an assault.

Flores was delivered to the city detention center for Evading Arrest, Resisting Arrest or Detention, and for the warrant for his arrest.

Delta District, Patrol Division

Street Sweeper Taken For A Joy Ride

Occurred Tuesday, June 26, 2012, 8:00am, 400 Peoples Street, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle 1206260043

A street sweeper valued at $28,000 was stolen Tuesday morning after the operator left the machine unattended to get a cup of coffee.

An 80-year-old man reported to Corpus Christi Police that the sweeper was left running and unattended while the man went to get a cup of coffee at 419 Peoples Street. The sweeper was described as a white 2005 Tennant ATVL 4300 street and sidewalk sweeper.

The sweeper was found unattended at the 1800 block of S. Alameda at 4:30pm. There was no damage to the machine and it was full on fuel. Police. Corpus Christi Police have not made any arrests related to this case.

Bravo District, Narcotics/Vice Division

Hallucinogenic Drugs Seized In Corpus Christi Apartment

Occurred Friday, June 22, 2012, 16:45, 4325 Ocean Drive, Possession of Controlled Substance 1206220103

The Corpus Christi Police Narcotics Vice Investigation Division served a search warrant at 4325 Ocean Drive on Friday and arrested 23-year-old Nixon Welsh (10/11/1988) for possession of controlled substances.

The Narcotics Vice Investigation Division obtained a search warrant as a result of information gathered from undercover investigations at the address. The Investigators seized a 9mm pistol with 3 loaded magazines when the search warrant was served.

Welsh is charged with:

Possession of (Hydoponic) marijuana 9 ounces, SJF Value $ 2,000

Possession of controlled substance “Mushrooms” 6 ounces 2F Value $ 1,800

Possession of controlled substance (LSD), 2F 200 hits Value $ 2,000

Possession of Controlled substance (Alprazolam), AM

The first charge is a state jail felony punishable by up to 2 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. The second and third charges are both second degree felonies punishable by up 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. The fourth charge is a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine.

Charlie District, Patrol Division

Man Leaves Sister Behind After Shoplifting, Both Arrested

Occurred Friday, June 22, 2012, 9:40am, 4109 Staples Street, Theft ($500-$1500) 1206220055, 1206220060

Two were arrested Friday morning after they attempted to steal a television, vacuum cleaner, and a variety of other items from the Wal-Mart on Staples.

Corpus Christi Police responded to a complaint of shoplifting from the Wal-Mart. 31-year-old Christa Ramon (11/10/1980) was left behind at the Wal-Mart as her brother, 25-year-old Luis Ramon (5/13/1987) fled from Wal-Mart employees in a black Dodge pickup truck after a confrontation about shoplifting. Christa and Luis loaded the television and the vacuum in the truck when employees confronted the pair about the shoplifting. Luis Ramon left in the truck with a 32 inch television and a vacuum cleaner together valued at over $700. Wal-Mart employees obtained the license plate number from the truck as Luis Ramon fled.

Christa Ramon had attempted to steal about $100 worth of a variety of items from the store that includes costume jewelry, clothes, and several containers of Preparation H. Christa Ramon was arrested and charged with theft, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and up to  $4,000 fine.

Corpus Christi Police went to an address at the 3100 block of Austin Street in relation to the license plate number obtained by Wal-Mart employees. Police Officers found the black Dodge truck, the television, the vacuum, and Luis Ramon at the Austin Street address. Luis Ramon was arrested for theft, and the property was returned to Wal-Mart.

Delta District, Narcotics/Vice Division

3 Arrested On Guadalupe Street Search Warrant

Occurred Friday, June 22, 2012, 11:00am, 2502 Guadalupe Street, Possession of Controlled Substance 1206220067, 1206220072

Three people were arrested Friday at 2502 Guadalupe Street as the result of undercover operations conducted by the Corpus Christi Police Narcotics Vice Investigations Division.

The Narcotics Vice Investigations Division executed a search warrant for 2502 Guadalupe Street and arrested 39-year-old Dirk Johnson (3/12/1973) and 33-year-old Doris Johnson (1/28/1979) for possession of a penalty group 1 controlled substance. The charge is a state jail felony punishable by up to 2 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Doris Johnson was additionally arrested for a warrant for arrest.

The Narcotics Vice Investigations Division seized powder cocaine, pills, a .380 semiautomatic pistol, and three gun suppressors. The investigation continues and additional charges may be filed for the pistol, suppressors, and the pills that were discovered.

The Corpus Christi Police conducted a traffic stop of a silver 2008 Ford Focus that left 2502 Guadalupe as police officers approached the house. The operator of the Ford Focus, 32-year-old Kimberly Lehmberg (10/13/1979) was arrested for operating a motor vehicle without a driver’s license and for no vehicle insurance.

Charlie District, Patrol Division

Broken Tail Lights Alert Police To A Drunk Driver

Occurred Friday, June 22, 2012, 1:44am Kostoryz Road at Norton Street, Driving While Intoxicated 1206220016, 1206220017, 1206220018

An 18-year-old man was arrested for driving while intoxicated Friday morning after a Corpus Christi Police patrol officer noticed the vehicle had no operating tail lights.

A Corpus Christi Police Officer saw a green 2001 Mitsubishi Galant travel on Kostoryz at 1:44am without any working tail lights. The patrol officer got closer and saw the back seat passenger hold a beer can out of the window.

The driver, 18-year-old Michael Clark (7/5/1993), displayed indications that he was intoxicated. Clark was arrested for driving while intoxicated.

The back seat passenger, 18 year old Floyd Saldana (1/18/1994) was arrested for public intoxication.

Two 16-year-old juvenile girls in the car were issued citations for violation of the night-time curfew and taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center to wait to be collected by their parents.

The Corpus Christi Police have the Summer Crime Initiative in effect. The initiative has a component of juvenile issues which include a zero tolerance on curfew violations for childrens safety. State law prohibits any person under the age of 21 to consume alcoholic beverages and those under age 21 that operate a motor vehicle with any detectable amount of alcoholic beverage consumption are subject to penalty.

Bravo District, Criminal Investigations Division, Patrol Division

Church Burglar Leaves Apology Note

Occurred Thursday, June 21, 2012, 21:00- 6:00 am, 4710 S. Alameda St. Burglary 1206210032

                A burglar broke into the South Shore Christian Church and left behind a note of apology.

Corpus Christi Police were called to investigate a burglary of a building by the church maintenance worker after broken glass was discovered at the pastor’s office door. The office was in disorder and coins were found on the floor of the office. The staff found a note that read, “Forgive me. I need the money.”

Staff allowed police investigators collect evidence and process the scene. The staff told police investigators a list of missing property would be submitted at a later time once an inventory was complete.

Anyone interested to research reported crime in Corpus Christi should visit Crimereports.com for a host of information.

Anyone with information about this crime should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or log on to www.888TIPS.com. If the information leads to an arrest it could earn the caller a cash reward.

Bravo District, Patrol Division

Police Search For Stolen Truck Doors

Occurred Thursday, June 21, 2012 3:15am, 7209 Sparkle Sea Drive, Theft 1206210022

Two vehicle doors were stolen from a truck while it was parked overnight at the 7200 block of Sparkle Sea as the owner slept inside the home.

A 28-year-old woman told Corpus Christi Police that she came home from work and discovered two doors missing from her husband’s black 2008 Ford F-150 pickup truck. The woman reported the hood of the truck was pried open and the battery cables were cut. The woman reported the two left side doors for the crew cab pickup were gone and she had no idea who might have taken the doors or caused the damage.

The Police officer noticed items of value in the interior of the truck which were not disturbed. The only missing property was the two left doors for the truck. The estimate of the total damage to the truck was reported as $2,500.

Anyone interested to research reported crime in Corpus Christi should visit Crimereports.com for a host of information.

Anyone with information about this crime should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or log on to www.888TIPS.com. If the information leads to an arrest it could earn the caller a cash reward.