All posts by Kirk Stowers

Community Outreach

Spring Break 2012 By The Numbers

Occurred March 9-19, 2012          Spring Break 2012 Statistics

The Corpus Christi Police Department had several goals to promote a safe environment for Spring Breakers in 2012. The Emergency Operations Center was activated to serve as a central communications post for area emergency responders, there was an emphasis on the safe transit of motorists on the roadways, and there was an emphasis on beach safety.

The Corpus Christi Police occupied the Emergency Operations Center to employ the use of the video cameras that view the beach, the roadways, and certain areas of town. The police officers sent twitter and facebook updates about the beach traffic and conditions. The use of the Emergency Operations served as an exercise for regional emergency responders for familiarization and practice to prepare for any large emergent event.

The Corpus Christi Police Department emphasized the safe transit of motorists by providing increased traffic patrol on densely traveled roadways in the city. The Corpus Christi Police issued 867 citations on Padre Island between March 9 and March 19 for this effort. Only 161 citations were issued for speeding. Most of the citations (282) were for an expired vehicle registration or expired inspection. The other citations were:  41 for uninsured motorists, 24 for not having the proof of insurance available, 52 for disregard a barricade, 61 for unlicensed drivers, 4 for driving with a suspended license, 122 Adults without seatbelts, 59 Children without seatbelts, 6 Minors in possession of alcohol, and 1 violation of curfew. There were 7 vehicle crashes reported on the beach and 24 vehicles were taken to the city impound lot.

The police officers patrolled the crowds on the beach and effected arrests only when necessary in the matter of safety. The Corpus Christi police Department recorded 50 arrests on the beach which were:

23 for Public Intoxication;

11 for Possession of Marijuana;

9 for Warrants for arrest;

1 disorderly conduct;

And 6 other arrests.

There were two individuals on two different days for the duration of this Spring Break that arrived at area hospitals for treatment of injuries they said originated on the beach (Case numbers 1203160036; and 1203140008). Police were not made aware of the injuries until the persons revealed themselves at the hospitals for treatment.

The Corpus Christi Police Department provided an added emphasis on safety on the public roadways by an increased effort to apprehend intoxicated drivers. The Corpus Christi Police made 25 arrests city-wide for the time period of March 9 through March 19. There were 19 arrests for a first Driving While Intoxicated offense; 2 arrests for Driving While Intoxicated as a 2nd offense (1 previous conviction for D.W.I.), 1 Driving While Intoxicated as a third offense (at least 2 previous convictions for D.W.I.).  There were 3 drivers arrested for driving intoxicated while under the age of 21.

The Corpus Christi Police Department continues the commitment to work as an equal partner with the community to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime, and enhance public safety.

Community Outreach

Chief Simpson Meets the Public

Corpus Christi Police Chief Floyd Simpson conducted several “Meet and Greet” events this week which included the Black Chamber of Commerce on Friday, March, 16, 2012.

Girl Scout Troop 9631 opened the event with a flag ceremony and led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chief Simpson was introduced by the President of the Corpus Christi Black Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Ann Tryon, on the 6th floor of the City Hall.  The Chair of the Corpus Christi Black Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Geraldine Johnson provided a welcome to the gathering and the Assistant City Manager, Troy Riggs provided opening statements to introduce Chief Simpson.

Mayor Joe Adame watched from the side as Chief Simpson shared comments about the city. “I plan to be here a long time.” Chief Simpson said. “This is not a fly-by-night operation for me. I saw the good progress the city team started in this city and I wanted to get on board before we reached the finish line.”

City Councilman Mark Scott, District 32 State Representative Todd hunter, Nueces County Sheriff JIm Kaelin, Corpus Christi Fire Chief Robert Rocha, and District 34 State Representative Connie Scott were among those in attendance for Chief Simpson’s welcome by the Chamber.

             

Bravo District

Single Vehicle Fatal Crash on Yorktown

Occurred March 16, 2012 4:40am  Vehicle Crash that involved Death   C1201995

Corpus Christi Police responded to a single vehicle crash at about 4:40 Friday morning which involved a death. Police and medical crews were called to the 6000 block of Yorktown for a vehicle that left the roadway and struck a brick wall.

Police discovered a white 2003 General Motors Corporation Yukon with front right damage and found a single occupant of the vehicle. The driver of the Yukon was taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital. The driver of the vehicle expired and experts with Corpus Christi Police Traffic Division were summoned to document the crash.

The medical examiner will conduct an inquiry to determine the cause of death of the driver. Officers at the scene collected information that indicates the driver may have suffered a medical condition prior to the crash causing the vehicle to travel off the roadway.

Bravo District

Passenger In A Knife Fight Over Lowering A Car Window

Occurred March 15, 2012 1:56pm Aggravated Assault 5100 Staples  1203150069

A 21-year-old man was arrested Thursday in the area of Staples and S.P.I.D. for aggravated assault after an argument with a roommate over lowering a car window.

Corpus Christi Police were called to the 5100 block of South Staples where an off duty police officer and a retired federal agent had stopped a fight with a knife that happened in the roadway. Police learned that 21-year-old Scott Lohman (2/8/1991) was in a fight with his 21-year-old roommate.

The 21-year-old victim explained that Lohman drove a brown 2011 Chevy Malibu and would not permit the victim to lower the window. The victim was the passenger in the car and when he complained about the heat; Lohman turned on the heater to the vehicle. The passenger asked Lohman if Lohman intended to kill him. Lohman then presented a knife and said that the knife would kill the passenger, not the heat.

The passenger and Lohman struggled for control of the knife. The two then exited the vehicle and continued to fight until the fight was stopped by an off duty police officer and a retired federal agent.

The passenger had minor, non-life threatening cuts as a result of the struggle. Lohman was arrested and delivered to the city detention center.

Adam District, Criminal Investigations Division

Morning Homicide on Omaha Drive

Occurred March 15, 2012 8:00am  700 Omaha Dr.  Aggravated Assault    1203150025

Corpus Christi Police were called to the 700 block of Omaha Drive at 8:00am Thursday morning in reference to a shooting.

Police Officers found a man who had an injury consistent with a gunshot wound. The man believed to be an age of early twenties was immediately taken by ambulance to the Spohn Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Police closed off the street to traffic to search for clues about this event. Police are searching for an older model white vehicle that may be related to this event.

The victim of this crime expired at the hospital as a result of the injuries. Homicide detectives are investigating leads and request any information from the public in relation to this crime.

Anyone with any information about this event is encouraged to notify police or call crime stoppers at 888-TIPS or log on to http://www.888TIPS.com.

Delta District

Several Arrested After Fights on The Beach

Occurred March 13, 2012 6:40pm Interference with Public Duties/resisting Arrest; Warrant for arrest, 1203130127, 1203130108

Two people were arrested at Beach Marker 206 Tuesday after several fights. Police responded to several fights on the beach and discovered an injured man who lay on the beach in a crowd. The crowd would not provide room for the away from the injured man to allow medical staff to treat the injuries, so Police Officers picked up the injured man to move him to a safe place for treatment.

Twenty Three year old Dustin Jones (8/18/1988) moved between emergency staff and the injured man preventing any treatment. Jones asked repeatedly to know who caused the injuries and announced retaliation. Jones was told by police to provide room to allow treatment; but Jones refused. Jones was told he was under arrest for interference with public duties and Jones caused a physical confrontation with the police officers. Jones was arrested for Interference with Public Duties, a Class B misdemeanor offense, and for Resist Arrest, Search, or Transport, a Class A Misdemeanor offense.

Police identified 18-year-old Timothy Thompson (1/26/1994) involved in the disturbance at Beach Marker 206 and discovered Thompson had an active warrant for his arrest so Thompson was arrested.

Bravo District

Toxic Rap Concert Ends in High Heel Brawl

Occurred March 12, 2012 2:05am Disorderly Conduct, Aggravated Assault, Evading Arrest 1203120016, 1203120019, 1203120022

Four people were arrested Monday morning in a period of 15 minutes after a concert at a local night club. Corpus Christi Police Officers noticed the large crowd in the parking lot at 5820 S. Staples and quickly observed several fights.

The crowd was released from Club Toxic which was host to a Kirko Bangz concert with guest, Snow Tha Product, as a Spring Break ’12 appearance. Police patrol officers gathered in the parking lot to monitor the exiting crowd to promote the crowds safety.

The police patrol officers saw their first fight within five minutes of monitoring the crowd. Directly in front of officers, 22-year-old Matthew Valdez (9/12/1989) charged and attacked another man in the crowd. Valdez was arrested for Public Intoxication and Disorderly Conduct.

Less than five minutes after Valdez was arrested, officers saw a group of about 10 people involved in a fight. Officers saw one of the active participants in the fight flail his arms, curse and provoke the surrounding crowd. The man then saw patrol officers move in his direction and the man ran from the police. Police Officers chased and arrested 22-year-old John Paul Garcia (1/7/1990) for evading arrest or detention.

Officers loaded Garcia into a patrol car and were approached by a 23-year-old woman who bled from her face. The injured woman complained that she was attacked by two other women. The 23-year-old woman said she was in a fight with the two other women who struck her in the face several times with their high heels. The injured woman pointed out her two attackers. 23-year-old Stacy Rosales (5/25/1988) and 20-year-old Mariah Barter (3/15/1991) were both arrested for Aggravated Assault and Public Intoxication.

Community Outreach

Chief Simpson Was Sworn Into Office Monday Morning

              

The new chief of the Corpus Christi Police Department, Floyd Simpson, was sworn into his position Monday in a ceremony at the police main headquarters. The Honorable Jose Longoria, Judge of the 214th District Court, swore in Chief Simpson in front of the command staff at 9:00 o-clock in the morning on the chiefs first day.

Chief Simpson is a native of Chicago Illinois. Chief Simpson was the assistant chief of police in the Dallas Police Department where he was employed for the past 25 years. Thursday, March 8, 2012, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and Dallas Chief David Brown said their farewell to Chief Simpson. Monday, March 12, 2012, Chief Simpson was welcomed by Corpus Christi Mayor Joe Adame.

Chief Simpson is 48 years old and his wife of more than 20 years, Tanya, stood by Chief Simpson’s side as Judge Longoria swore in the new chief of police.

The 70th Police Academy Class for the Corpus Christi Police Department stood in the back of the room to watch Chief Simpson’s ceremony. Chief Simpson took the time to shake every cadet’s hand and introduce himself.

“We share a special bond,” Chief Simpson said to the Academy cadets, “since we start in this department together at the same time.”

                Chief Simpson announced from the podium his intention to waste no time to begin business.

Chief Simpson made a short simple comment as all eyes were on him and ended his comments with the announcement; “It’s time to get to work.”

            

Bravo District

Shoplifter and An Accomplice Arrested for Robbery

Occurred March 10, 2012 8:17Pm     Robbery       1305 Airline           1203100106

A 26-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman were arrested for robbery Saturday after a shoplifting attempt went bad. Loss prevention employees reported to police that a woman attempted to steal merchandise from the store. The 34-year-old woman, Gina Gonzalez (2/19/1978) exited and an employee requested Gonzalez to go back into the store. Gonzalez scratched the employee on the face and arms once Gonzalez was confronted. Gonzalez left in a 2004 white Chevy Impala that was driven by a man.

The vehicle and suspect description was broadcast over the police radio. Patrol Officers saw the suspect vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. Evidence of the crime was discovered in the vehicle and it was revealed that the driver, Emmanuel Buckingham (1/7/1986) had a suspended license. Buckingham was identified as the getaway driver in the robbery and was arrested.

Gonzalez was not in the vehicle at the time of the traffic stop but officers continued to search and investigate. Gonzalez was located at a house she frequents and was arrested for the robbery.

Both Gonzalez and Buckingham were charged with the robbery and the possible punishment is incarceration between 2 to 20 years and a possible $10,000 fine.

Charlie District

Couple Arrested After Their Vehicle Runs Out Of Gas

Occurred March 9, 2012  9:35pm   Saratoga at Everhart         1203090142

A 37-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman were arrested Friday after their vehicle ran out of gas and a police officer stopped to help.

Patrol Officer Paul Janko saw a gray 2001 Mercedes 4 door sedan stopped in the roadway and obstructed traffic on Saratoga Boulevard near Everhart Road. Officer Janko stopped behind the Mercedes to provide assistance. Officer Janko asked the occupants to exit the vehicle to a safer area because there was congested traffic and the road was wet from misty conditions. The occupants of the vehicle explained the vehicle was out of fuel.

Officer Janko discovered the front seat passenger, 26-year-old Veronica Guerra (11-4-1985), had an active warrant for her arrest. Guerra was arrested for the warrant for arrest. Guerra was found in possession of contraband so Guerra was additionally charged with possession of a controlled substance.

Officer Janko saw a plastic bag that contained a white powdery substance in the front center console cup holder of the vehicle. The operator of the vehicle, 37-year-old Chema Rodriguez (10-4-1974), was arrested for possession of a controlled substance.

The rear seat passenger received a citation for possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a motor vehicle. The vehicle was impounded and the rear seat passenger was released at the scene.