All posts by Kirk Stowers

Community Outreach, Traffic Safety Division

Friday Fun Fact

The Corpus Christi Police provides information about the Texas Transportation Code as a Friday Fun Fact as a public education campaign.

Sometimes Officers find vehicles, particularly motorcycles, parked in an area of a parking lot that is painted with yellow strips. These “zones” or “architectural improvements” are specifically marked to prohibit vehicles from parking in that location. Such markings most often are to provide an area for handicapped accessibility, either next to the parking space or the end of a sidewalk ramp so that wheelchairs have room to navigate. Don’t park in those areas with the stripes as that can get you the most expensive parking ticket issued by law enforcement, a Handicapped Parking violation.

The Texas Transportation Code section 681.011 (c) states the prohibition as; “(c) A person commits an offense if the person stands a vehicle so that the vehicle blocks an architectural improvement designed to aid persons with disabilities, including an access aisle or curb ramp.”

Most importantly, when you park your vehicle, provide some room and courtesy for those who need it.

The Texas Transportation Code Section 681.011 prohibits parking in architectural improvements such as a painted zone to allow handicap accessibility.
The Texas Transportation Code Section 681.011 prohibits parking in architectural improvements such as a painted zone to allow handicap accessibility.
Charlie District, Community Outreach, Delta District, Patrol Division

Patrol Report July 10, 2015

Delta District

Date: Thursday, July 9, 2015, 13:30
Location: 3008 Highland Avenue
Offense: Burglary of a Building (Penal Code Section 30.02) State Jail Felony
Case Number: 1507090077

Corpus Christi Police arrested two men for burglary Thursday at 1:30 in the afternoon after alert witnesses saw unusual activity at a closed snack bar on Highland Avenue and called Police.

Officers arrived at the Julia’s Snack Bar and saw two men leave the building from the roof, and the men ran from the Officers. The Officers chased and captured both men and arrested 26-year-old Rudy Alba (6/5/1989) and 26-year-old Francisco Zuniga (4/6/1989) for burglary of a building and evading arrest. Both men were then delivered to the city detention center.

Charlie District

Date: Thursday, July 9, 2015, 16:31
Location: 4710 Ayers Street
Offense: Burglary of a Building (Penal Code Section 30.02)
Case Number: 1507090120

Corpus Christi Police arrested 33-year-old Daniel Luna (5/28/1982) for burglary of a building at 4710 Ayers Street Thursday after a battery shop owner told Officers he caught Luna in the act.

A 47-year-old man reported a burglary to Corpus Christi Police at 4:30pm Thursday afternoon at a battery shop that was open for business. The 47-year-old man told Officers he went to the back storage area of the business that is not accessible for the public and found an unknown man loading batteries into a truck without permission. The 47-year-old man pointed out the unknown man who had left the building and travelled away from the business and Officers contacted Luna. Luna was arrested for burglary to a building and delivered to the city detention center.

Charlie District, Gang Unit, Narcotics/Vice Division

Narcotics Investigators Arrest Six People For Narcotics Violations on Chula Vista

Date: Thursday, July 9, 2015, 14:40
Location: 1617 Chula Vista Street
Offense: Manufacturing or Delivering Controlled Substance
Case Number: 1507090113

The Corpus Christi Police Narcotics and Vice Investigators had assistance from the Corpus Christi Police Gang Unit to serve an arrest and search warrant Thursday afternoon at 1617 Chula Vista Street related to neighborhood complaints about sales of narcotics.

Investigators seized several types of narcotics which include:
4.9 grams of crack cocaine;
6.6 grams of methamphetamine;
1.1 grams of marijuana;
1.5 grams of heroin;
several types of illegal prescription drugs;
and over 3/4 of a kilo of synthetic cannabinoids.

Investigators also seized two firearms, one of which was reported stolen, and $7,336 dollars in cash. The following individuals were arrested:
Eric Rodriguez (11-1-83)  Manufacture/delivery of Controlled Substance;
John Guerrero (3-11-93)  Manufacture/delivery of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 1g-4g;
Tabitha Guerrero (2-9-95)  Manufacture/delivery of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 1g-4g;
Daniela Villarreal (2-4-95)  Manufacture/delivery of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 1g-4g;
Daniel Hernandez-Murillo (6-7-98)  Out of County Warrants for dangerous drugs and illegal entry;
and Jose Cruz Esquivel (5-17-83)  Possession of a Controlled Substance

Anyone who has complaints of the unlawful sales of narcotics in their neighborhood should call the Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit the tip online at http://www.888TIPS.com to provide the information. Crime Stoppers guarantees to keep the identity of the tipster secret and if the information leads to an arrest, it could earn the caller a cash reward.

4.9 grams of crack cocaine; 6.6 grams of methamphetamine; 1.1 grams of marijuana; 1.5 grams of heroin; several types of illegal prescription drugs; and over 3/4 of a kilo of synthetic cannabinoids
4.9 grams of crack cocaine;
6.6 grams of methamphetamine;
1.1 grams of marijuana;
1.5 grams of heroin;
several types of illegal prescription drugs;
and over 3/4 of a kilo of synthetic cannabinoids
Community Outreach

Crime Stoppers Rewards Available For Those Who Want It

Vertical color Crime Stoppers logo 2015The Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers has rewards available for collection for those who want the cash.

The Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers approved eight rewards this past four weeks for the apprehension of fugitives and drugs. The rewards are for anonymous tips which apprehended 34-year-old Mary Martinez on the 6000 block of Bobtail Drive who was a fugitive for an assault related to case number 15002662. A person called in to Crime Stoppers to complain about a drug house on the 3800 block of Caravelle Parkway which resulted in the arrest of 31-year-old Henry Munoz (4/16/1984) for the possession of over 2 ounces of marijuana in case #1506050109. Three fugitives were featured on the Crime Stoppers Wheel of Shame: 29-year-old Felicia Felan (12/27/1985) (Case #15002958); 26-year-old Jessica Garza (10/19/1988)(Case #15003115); and 24-year-old Mark Salinas (4/15/1991)(Case #15003146) and apprehended by Crime Stoppers tips so the reward was increased for those fugitives. A suspect was identified for stealing jewelry with case number 1506010107. Crime Stoppers tips also located two fugitives, Daniel Fretwell (case #1506300147 wanted for probation violation) and Sylvia Rincon (Case #1500350) who was wanted for fraud.

Thank you to all who called Crime Stoppers to provide tips in an effort to make Corpus Christi a safer community. Crime Stoppers knows there are many reasons a person needs to keep their identity secret when providing information to law enforcement such as that the suspect in the crime may be a family member, a neighbor, a co-worker, or some dynamic which subjects a tipster to retaliation. Rewards are offered by Crime Stoppers in order to overcome apathy and to appeal to a segment of the community who are normally unwilling hostile to communicate with law enforcement. Crime Stoppers guarantees to keep the identity of the tipster secret.

Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization not funded by tax dollars and gains funds for operating expenses and rewards solely by donations and the organization is operated by volunteers.

Anyone with information about an unsolved crime should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the tip online at http://www.888TIPS.com. Information which leads to an arrest may earn the tipster a cash reward. Anyone who believes they provided a tips that is eligible for a reward should call 888-TIPS on Thursdays to check the status of their tip. If the tipster is due a reward, they will be provided instructions how to collect the cash reward which keeps their identity secret through the entire process.

Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division

Police Want Public Help to Catch Fugitive for Arson

Valerie Vela (July 2, 1981) Wanted for Arson
Valerie Vela (July 2, 1981)
Wanted for Arson

The Corpus Christi Police would like help from the public to locate a fugitive who is wanted for arson. Valerie Vela (7/2/1981) has a warrant for her arrest for Arson and her last known address was on the 500 block of Elmore Drive in Corpus Christi. Vela is described as a 34-year-old female, about 5 feet 7 inches tall, about 140 pounds, with brown hair that extends past her shoulders, and brown eyes.

Anyone who can help law enforcement to locate Vela should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the tip online at http://www.888TIPS.com. Crime Stoppers guarantees to keep the identity of the caller secret and if the information leads to Vela’s arrest, it could earn the caller a cash reward.

Community Outreach

Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers Release Second Quarter Statistics for 2015

The Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers has the statistical report for the second quarter for 2015 to provide to the public.

There have been 1,167 calls to Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers in 2015 which have resulted in 69 arrests and $28,800 dollars in rewards approved. There have been 49 fugitives apprehended as a result of Crime Stoppers tips in Corpus Christi. There have been $1,000 dollars worth of property recovered, and $1,580 dollars worth of narcotics seized because of tips from the public to the Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers.

Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization operated by volunteers in the community to provide information to Police about unsolved crimes. Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers guarantees that anyone who calls Crime Stoppers will remain completely anonymous for their protection, so the caller will never be known to the criminal, never be compelled to appear in court, and not be subject to investigation. Crime Stoppers offers rewards to overcome the challenge of apathy and as a tool to provide incentive for those who are not willing to communicate with law enforcement. The rewards and operating expenses are entirely from donations and no tax dollars go toward the Crime Stoppers program.

Anyone with any information about an unsolved crime or knows the location of a fugitive should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the tip online at www.888TIPS.com. Anyone who would like to donate to Crime Stoppers can find out more at the website or visit the Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers facebook page. Crime Stoppers is the link between law enforcement, the media, and the public in an effort to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime, and enhance public safety.

Criminal Investigations Division, Delta District, Patrol Division

Police Investigate the 12th Homicide in 2015

Date: Friday, June 26, 2015, 16:39
Location: 1520 Arlington Drive
Offense: Murder (Penal Code Section 19.02)
Case Number: 151506260113

The Corpus Christi Police are investigating the twelfth homicide in 2015 after a dead man was found in an apartment located at 1520 Arlington Drive  Friday afternoon.

The Corpus Christi Police responded to a call for a welfare concern at 4:39pm Friday afternoon after a concerned person was not able to contact a particular man. The Officers worked with the Apartment maintenance crew and made entry into an apartment where the man was believed to be located and the Officers did find a man who may be about 43 years of age. Unfortunately, the Officers found the man had obvious injuries and the man was dead. The Officers believe the death was possibly the result of a criminal action, so the Officers made sure no other person was inside the apartment, then summoned Detectives to conduct an investigation as a homicide.

Detectives have contacted nearby people to ascertain more information about this death and presently do not have a suspect description to provide to the public. Detectives believe this is the twelfth homicide in Corpus Christi in 2015 and would like help from the public to learn more about what or who may have caused the death of this man.

Anyone who knows who may be responsible, or has any additional information about this death should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the information online at http://www.888TIPS.com. Crime Stoppers guarantees to keep the callers identity secret and if the information results in a solution to the crime, it can earn the caller up to $2,500 in cash.

Update:
Corpus Christi Police Detectives obtained a warrant for the arrest of Sean Beasely (10/26/1993) for murder related to this case. Beasely was in jail on an unrelated criminal charge at the time the warrant was obtained and the bond amount for the murder warrant was set at $500,000 dollars.

Community Outreach

Police Host Public Events On Padre Island

6-26-2015 10-21-08 AMHeaded to the Beach this Saturday? We will be there too. Check out our Island Substation located at Zahn Road and State Highway 361. The Texas Sealife Center and South Texas Botanical Gardens will present Coastal and Aquatic Wildlife Education from 1pm-3pm at the Island Substation at Tortuga Dunes. Bring the family; there is no fee for the event.
Senior Officer Luis Flores has worked hard to arrange events each Saturday at the substation for the public. Go out and see him and take advantage of the great opportunities!

Bravo District, Criminal Investigations Division

Investigators Want Public Help to Identify Remains Found On Beach

IMG_0434
A view of a plate surgically placed on the man’s spine in the late 1980’s or early 1990’s which Investigators hope will be the key to identify the man found in the Dunes.
Crime Scene Investigators from the Corpus Christi Police Department Ferensics Laboratory
Crime Scene Investigators from the Corpus Christi Police Department forensics Laboratory
Ric Ortiz, an investigator with the Nueces County Medical Examiner's Office, sifts through the scene where the reamains of a man were discovered on Padre Island.
Ric Ortiz, an investigator with the Nueces County Medical Examiner’s Office, sifts through the scene where the remains of a man were discovered on Padre Island.

Date: 04/22/2015 7:35 PM
Location: Beach Access Road 4
Offense: Death Investigation
Case Number: 1504220132

The Corpus Christi Police Department and the Nueces County Medical Examiner’s Office would like help from the public to identify the remains of a man discovered on the beach on April 22, 2015.

The Corpus Christi Police Detectives have released an image of the portion of the spine found with a plate that was surgically placed. Detectives have learned that the bones discovered April 22 are the remains of a man between the ages of 55 to 70 at the time of death, but have not been able to identify the man. Detectives hope that by releasing the image of the plate, someone may be able to provide information about a missing person who had such a surgery in the late 1980’s or early 1990’s. Detectives believe the remains may have been in the dunes for as much as the past 25 years. The Nueces County Medical Examiner’s Office has not determined a cause of death as of June 25, 2015. Anyone who may know a person who had this type of surgery should call Detectives at 886-2840 to help identify the remains.

A 28-year-old man called Corpus Christi Police on April 22, 2015 after he found some human bones in the dunes  Beach Access Road 4 on Padre Island. The 28-year-old man directed Officers to the bones. The Nueces County Medical Examiner was called and he confirmed that the bones were human and that they had been there for a while.

Officers continue to work with the Medical Examiner to investigate if any crime has been committed. Detectives understand that some members of the public may want to provide information and stay anonymous which can be accomplished if they call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477).

Criminal Intelligence Unit, Criminal Investigations Division

Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers Offers Reward to Catch a Bank Robber

Crime Stoppers Wants help to identify this woman described as a White, female, heavy build, wearing a black “Tap Out” style t-shirt, blue jeans, and a black baseball type cap.
Crime Stoppers Wants help to identify this woman described as a White, female, heavy build, wearing a black “Tap Out” style t-shirt, blue jeans, and a black baseball type cap.
Crime Stoppers Wants help to identify this woman described as a White, female, heavy build, wearing a black “Tap Out” style t-shirt, blue jeans, and a black baseball type cap.
Crime Stoppers Wants help to identify this woman described as a White, female, heavy build, wearing a black “Tap Out” style t-shirt, blue jeans, and a black baseball type cap.
Crime Stoppers Wants help to identify this woman described as a White, female, heavy build, wearing a black “Tap Out” style t-shirt, blue jeans, and a black baseball type cap.
Crime Stoppers Wants help to identify this woman described as a White, female, heavy build, wearing a black “Tap Out” style t-shirt, blue jeans, and a black baseball type cap.

The Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers are working with the San Antonio Crime Stoppers who would like help from the public to identify a woman who robbed the River City Federal Credit Union located at 610 Agusta, in San Antonio on June 17, 2015.

Wednesday, June 17th, 2015 at 12:40 pm, the unidentified woman entered the River City Federal Credit Union located at 610 Agusta, walked up to the teller station, brandished a knife, and gave  a note which demanded money. The Suspect took the money and calmly walked out the front double door and fled east from the Credit Union. The woman is described as a White, female, heavy build, wearing a black “Tap Out” style t-shirt, blue jeans, and a black baseball type cap. San Antonio Detectives believe the woman responsible for this robbery may be from the Corpus Christi area.

If you can identify this person, or have any additional information about this robbery, call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the information online at http://www.888TIPS.com. Information which leads to an arrest may earn the caller a cash reward.

Vertical color Crime Stoppers logo 2015