All posts by Kirk Stowers

Community Outreach, Narcotics/Vice Division

Properly Dispose Prescription Medications September 29

Prescription Drugs properly disposed in previous Corpus Christi events

The Drug Enforcement Administration in partnership with the Corpus Christi Police Department, KIII TV and HEB will be hosting a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, September 29, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  This is the opportunity for safe and proper disposal of prescription medication. Unused medications must be properly disposed rather than discarded in household trash or drainage systems to avoid harm to wildlife, pets and people.

A total of 1,052 pounds of pills were collected at the Prescription Drug Take Back Event on April 28, 2012 in Corpus Christi. The event in October, 2011 in Corpus Christi collected 892.6 pounds of pills.

Locations where citizens may drop off their old or expired prescription or over the counter drugs are as follows.

KIII TV

5002 S. Padre Island Drive

CC, TX 78411

 

HEB

3033 S. Port Ave.

CC, TX 78405

 

HEB Plus

5313 Saratoga Blvd.

CC, TX           78413

 

HEB Plus

1145 Waldron Road

78418

 

HEB

11100 Leopard

CC, TX 78410

 

Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division

Police Host Business Summit To Raise Awareness

Lori Taylor learns personal safety information from Gilbert DeLaPortilla at the Business Summit held at the Del Mar College Center for Economic Development Wednesday

The Corpus Christi police Department hosted a Business Summit Wednesday, September, 19, 2012 at the Del Mar College Center for Economic Development.

The purpose of the event was to raise awareness among business operators of crime trends that relate to financial crimes and scams. Corpus Christi Police Financial Crimes Detective Stacy Bruns said that there is no set profile of a person who chooses to participate in financial crimes. “They can be anybody.” Bruns explained. “They can be a first time offender and decides, for whatever reason, to get into these types of crimes and they don’t fit any profile.”

The Corpus Christi Police Financial Crimes Investigators organized the event and arranged for experts to provide the information in the presentation. The guests included Alan Bligh of the Better Business Bureau to speak about protecting a business against scams. A personal safety presentation was provided by retired San Antonio Police Officer Gilbert DeLaPortilla and counterfeit money awareness was provided by Special Agents of the United States Secret Service.

Detective Bruns said she believes awareness is the best protection from financial crimes. Anyone who missed the summit and is interested in the information provided is encouraged to visit the CCPD Financial Crimes Facebook page.

Bravo District, Patrol Division

House Explodes On Gertie Street Monday Afternoon

Occurred Monday, September 17, 2012, 14:54, 4329 Gertie Street, Information, 1209170102

A 63-year-old woman was injured when her home burst in fire on the 4300 block of Gertie Street at 2:54 Monday afternoon.

The 63-year-old woman told emergency responders she lit a cigarette in her living room and the house burst into flames. Emergency crews believe the woman had a natural gas leak that ignited. The house had significant damage from the fire.

Corpus Christi Police blocked traffic on the 4300 block of Gertie at 3:00pm and asked two neighbors to leave their home as a safety precaution.  The house was evaluated by the fire department, the gas department, and Corpus Christi Code Enforcement to determine any danger to the public.

Corpus Christi Police reopened the public rights of way on Gertie Street at 4:20pm to normal traffic. The 63-year-old woman was taken to the hospital by ambulance for treatment of injuries from the fire. No other person was injured.

Delta District, Traffic Safety Division

Police Investigate Fatal Crash On Harbor Bridge Saturday Morning

Occurred Saturday, September 08, 2012, 2:06am, 3300 State Highway 181, Vehicle Crash with Fatal injuries, C1206845

A 31-year-old man died in a single vehicle crash at 2:06am Saturday morning on the north side of the Harbor Bridge.

The 31-year-old man rode his black 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle north over the Harbor Bridge. The road curves and inclines at the base of the bridge and was dry at the time of the crash. The motorcycle left the roadway just north of the Burleson exit and struck a sign and a street light pole.

The 31-year-old man died at the scene. Corpus Christi Traffic Crash Investigators continue to investigate the cause of the crash and have not yet provided any conclusions.

Criminal Investigations Division, Gang Unit

Corpus Christi Police Serve 3 Search Warrants Friday

Occurred Friday, September 07, 2012, 8:45am, Warrant Service, 4909 Brandesky – 1209070068 2537 Presa 1209070059 3029 Greenwood Dr. 1209070064

The Corpus Christi Police Narcotics Vice Investigation Division, Gang Unit, S.W.A.T. and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force served three search warrants at three locations in Corpus Christi at 8:45am on Friday, September 7, 2012 as a result of a seven month investigation.

The first location was 4909 Brandesky in which two people were arrested and several items seized:

Arrested

Felix Lopez 08/07/87 – Possession of marijuana class B, manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance 4g<200g 1st degree felony, theft of a firearm x 2 SJF

Debra Garcia 06/29/84 – manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance 4g<200g 1st degree felony

Seized

Cocaine – 172.02g AGW  value $7,284

U.S. Currency – $19,564

2008 GMC Yukon

2005 Chevrolet Silverado

1998 Buick Park Avenue

2004 Chevrolet Suburban

Charter Arms .38 caliber revolver

Charter Arms Bulldog .44 caliber revolver

All Terrain Vehicle

2008 Cargo Trailer

3 Televisions

I Pad

Desk Top Computer

The second location was 2537 Presa in which no person was arrested, but several items were seized:

No arrests made as no one was present during warrant service.

Seized

Small quantity of cocaine

AK 47 Rifle Caliber 7.62 MM

Sig Sauer .22 caliber pistol

HP Computer

2 Wireless Cameras

The third location was 3029 Greenwood in which no person was arrested because of health concerns.

Charges Pending

HS 481.117 Possession of Controlled Substance PG3<28g

HS 483.041 Possession of dangerous Drugs

Seized

5 pills 1.32g AGW identified as Alprazolam

16 whole pills and 3 half pills 17.77 AGW tentatively identified as Alprazolam

3 cell phones

2 drug ledgers

3 scales

Laptop computer

3 surveillance cameras with monitor

Delta District, Patrol Division

17 Year Old Arrested For Robbery On 2900 Niagara

Occurred Friday, September 07, 2012, 3:00am, 2814 Niagara Aggravated Robbery, 1209070052

A 17-year-old man was arrested for a robbery Friday morning after he refused to pay for a meal.

Corpus Christi Police were called to 3036 South Port Avenue to Las Milpas Restaurant for a complaint that a man refused to pay for his meal and left. Corpus Christi Police Officers were provided a description of the man who they found on the 2900 block of Niagara.

A group of people approached the officers to complain that the suspect in the theft at Las Milpas was responsible for an overnight robbery.

A 19-year-old man said he slept in a garage apartment when 17-year-old Juan Bautista (9/26/1994) kicked open the door with two other men. The 19-year-old man said the three men beat him and stole clothes.

Corpus Christi Police investigated the claim of robbery and discovered enough evidence to arrest Bautista for robbery. The restaurant chose not to pursue criminal charges against Bautista for the theft.

Corpus Christi Police Officers met 18-year-old Derrek Franco (6/18/1994) while they investigated the robbery and discovered Franco had an active warrant for arrest for possession of marijuana. Franco and Bautista were arrested and delivered to the city detention center.

Bravo District, Traffic Safety Division

Man Arrested For D.W.I. After Traffic Crash Causes Delays On Oso Bridge

Occurred Thursday, September 06, 2012, 13:51, 8700 State Highway 358 at Oso Bridge, Major Vehicle Crash C1206800, & 1209060077

                Thursday afternoon traffic was disrupted for two and a half hours by a major vehicle crash caused by a 35-year-old man arrested for Driving While Intoxicated on South Padre Island Drive at the Oso Bridge.

A black 2007 Ford 500, four door car, was operated by 35-year-old George Crumbock (5/4/1977) on the eastbound lanes of South Padre Island Drive over the Oso Bridge. Crumbock traveled faster than the posted speed limit and swerved through traffic until the car struck the trailer of a work truck from behind.

The trailer was towed by a white 2001 Ford F-150 operated by a 33-year-old man who was taken to Bay Area Hospital by ambulance for minor injuries.

Investigating Corpus Christi Police Officers discovered evidence at the scene that led them to conclude that alcohol was a contributing factor in the cause of the crash. Crumbock was taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation and then arrested for driving while intoxicated. Officers discovered a white crystal powder in Crumbock’s car and additionally charged Crumbock with Possession of a Controlled Substance.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash and no other injuries were reported.

Criminal Investigations Division, Delta District

Police Seek Robber On Hancock Avenue

Occurred Thursday, August 23, 2012, 2:15am, 800 Hancock Avenue, Robbery, 1208230023

                Corpus Christi Police Detectives would like help from the public to identify and locate a man who robbed a woman on August 23, 2012 at the 800 block of Hancock Avenue.

A 24-year-old woman met a man at Vernon’s Bar. The man said his name was Jerry and convinced the woman to provide him a ride home.  The woman slowed the vehicle near the place Jerry said was his home and then Jerry punched the woman in the face several times and took cash from her purse.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic man who wore a white short sleeve t-shirt, jeans, and white shoes.

Anyone with any information that can identify or locate the person responsible for this robbery should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit an online tip at www.888TIPS.com. Tips can also be made by the Tipsubmit mobile app for the iphone and android systems. If the information leads to an arrest, it could earn you a cash reward.

Adam District, Traffic Safety Division

Trucker Loses Load And Causes Traffic Disruption

Occurred Thursday, September 06, 2012, 8:36am, Hwy 358 at Bates Street, Major Traffic Crash C1206786

Thursday morning traffic was disrupted when a semi trailer rolled on its side on North Padre Island Drive near Bates Street.

The white 1999 International Harvester Company truck tractor pulled a 48-year-old trailer through a curve. The 48,000 pound load, held by six 5,000 pound limit straps, shifted and bent the frame of the trailer. The load scraped the asphalt roadway for several feet until the trailer rolled to the side.

No injuries were reported and no other vehicles were involved in the crash. The operator of the truck tractor did not receive a citation for any violations. The road was re-opened for normal use at 10:40am.

Community Outreach

Police Invite Public To Business Summit

The Corpus Christi Police Department will host a business summit Wednesday, September 19, 2012 from 8:00am to noon at the Del Mar College Center for Economic Development located across from Ray high School at 3209 Staples Street.

The purpose of the summit is to build a partnership to protect local businesses. The topics in the summit will include: Protecting your business against scams and social media; Personal safety at home and work; and Counterfeit money and money orders.

Anyone interested to attend this event at no fee should contact Sandra Cantu at (361) 886-2615 or Canyce Hedrick at (361) 886-2844 to reserve a place.