All posts by Kirk Stowers

Charlie District, Criminal Investigations Division, Patrol Division

Police Search For Missing 12 Year Old Girl

Cameron Hernandez

Occurred Tuesday, August 28, 2012, 21:00, 4100 Brett Street, Missing child 1208280161

The Corpus Christi Police Department are searching for a missing 12-year-old child that was last seen on the 4100 block of Brett Street at 7:30 pm on August 28, 2012.

A 28-year-old woman told police her 12-year-old daughter went for a jog inside an apartment complex at 7:30 pm and had not returned home. The 28-year-old woman said she and her daughter had moved to Corpus Christi on July 30, 2012 and had not met many people. The woman said there was no event of discipline or conflict that would have contributed to cause the girl to run away from home.

The 12-year-old girl, Cameron Hernandez, is a Hispanic female, 5 ft. 1 inch tall, 100 pounds, with dyed red hair, brown eyes and was last seen wearing a white tank top shirt, silver basketball shorts, black Nike running shoes, and a camouflaged Camelback water carrier. The 12-year-old girl is enrolled in 6th grade at Tom Browne Middle School.

Anyone with any information to locate Cameron should call the Corpus Christi Police Department at 886-2670.

Delta District, Patrol Division

Man Steals Car From Woman In Town For Job Interview

Occurred Tuesday, August 28, 2012, 2:00am, 600 Leopard Street, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle 1208280051

Corpus Christi Police arrested a 33-year-old man after he was found driving a vehicle taken hours earlier from an 18-year-old woman.

An 18 year old woman told police that she and several friends came to Corpus Christi from Nacogdoches to interview for jobs. The 18-year-old and her friends went to a bar on the sea wall after the interviews and met 33-year-old Gerry Brooks (2/9/1979).

Brooks offered to drive the friends around town and to a bar on Leopard Street. The friends agreed and got out of the car at a bar on the 600 block of Leopard Street. The 18-year-old woman said Brooks left alone in her silver 2003 Mitsubishi Gallant.

The 18-year-old woman reported her car valued at $2,500 stolen to the Corpus Christi Police at 10:30am when she was able to gather the vehicle information to provide to police.

Corpus Christi Patrol Officers found the stolen vehicle moving on South Alameda at Cole Street at 1:18pm. Patrol officers stopped and arrested Brooks for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, a state jail felony punishable by up to 2 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

The vehicle was returned to the 18-year-old woman.

Corpus Christi Police warn the public not to allow strangers to operate your vehicle. Have the vehicle information like the Vehicle Identification Number available for police to avoid delayed reporting if the vehicle gets stolen. One method may be to enter the information on a phone or email with included pictures of the vehicle stored in a place readily accessible.

Community Outreach

PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT FOR NUECES COUNTY RESIDENTS

August 28, 2012

From:  Roeanne Peppard, Health District Information Aide, 361-826-7292; email RoeanneP@cctexas.com

Contact Person:  William Burgin, Jr., M.D., Local Health Authority, 633-1324 

 

PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT FOR NUECES COUNTY RESIDENTS

            The Corpus Christi – Nueces County Public Health District reports that it has received confirmation of the first West Nile death in a human from the Texas Department of State Health Services.  This is the first confirmed death of West Nile Virus (WNV) in Nueces County in 2012.  Nueces County has been upgraded to Risk Level 4, indicating that the probability of human outbreak of WNV is at a higher risk.

            According to health officials, the patient was a female between the ages of 45 and 60 who was hospitalized locally and then transferred to a neighboring city hospital due to co-morbidities.  The patient’s condition worsened and patient expired on Monday, August 27, 2012.

Dr.  William Burgin, Jr., Local Health Authority, alerts all residents to take necessary preventative measures to lower their risk.   “Stay indoors from dusk to dawn when mosquitos are most active.  If you must be outdoors during these times, dress in pants and long-sleeves and apply insect repellent that contains DEET”, states Dr. Burgin.

            According to Dr. Mobley, Local Health Authority for San Patricio County, “WNV risk is high between neighboring counties even though we have not had a positive human case”.  Because mosquitos can travel on people, in vehicles, etc., Dr. Mobley is advising San Patricio citizens as well as neighboring counties to follow the listed precautions.

            West Nile Virus is a disease spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, rather than

by person-to-person contact.  In Texas, there have been 783 human cases reported of West Nile Virus and a total of 31 deaths in 2012.  Nueces County has had three human cases and one death in 2012.

Health Officials advise residents to follow the 4 Ds:

  • Dusk and Dawn are the times of day to avoid outdoor activities
  • Dress in long sleeves and pants when outside
  • DEET is an ingredient to look for in an insect repellent
  • Drain standing water in old tires, flowerpots and clogged rain gutters

Residents can keep mosquitoes outside by fixing or installing window and door screens.

Not everyone who gets infected with WNV will have any symptoms.  Up to 20 percent of people who become infected have symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms can last for as short as a few days, even though healthy people have become sick for several weeks.

Serious symptoms in a few people include high fever, headache, neck stiffness stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may bepermanent.

Approximately 80 percent of people (about 4 out of 5) who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all.

Health District officials urge anyone who is experiencing these symptoms should see their doctor.  Although all Nueces County residents and neighboring areas are at risk of getting West Nile Virus, persons over 50 years of age have the highest risk of severe disease.

Community Outreach

Fire Department Wins Annual Guns & Hoses Blood Drive

Corpus Christi Fire Chief Robert Rocha accepts the trophy for area Fire Departments for collecting the most units of blood in the Guns & Hoses blood drive

Corpus Christi Fire Chief Robert Rocha accepted the 11th annual Guns & Hoses trophy in a presentation at the Fire Department head quarters Monday morning.

The Guns & Hoses competition is an annual blood drive that started July 9, this year. The friendly competition is between the area law enforcement and area fire departments in an effort to encourage the public to donate to the Coastal Bend Blood Center.

The Coastal Bend Blood Center is an independent non-profit community based blood center. The Coastal Bend Blood Center recognized the law enforcement and fire department agencies at an awards presentation in which Corpus Christi Fire Chief Robert Rocha accepted the trophy from Blood Center Representative Leticia Mondragon.

The area fire departments that participated in the blood drive are the Corpus Christi Refinery Terminal Fire Company, The Corpus Christi Fire Department, The Naval Air Station Fire & Emergency Services, The Robstown Fire Department, and the Kingsville Fire Department. The Fire Departments combined effort collected 283 units of blood.

The area law enforcement that participated in the blood drive are local border patrol, the Corpus Christi Police Department, Sheriff’s Office, and Department of Public Safety. The law enforcement combined effort collected 216 units of blood.

The Corpus Christi Police Department thank all who participated in this event to raise 499 units of blood for the patients and hospitals in the Coastal Bend!

Corpus Christi Police Chief Floyd Simpson and Corpus Christi Fire Chief Robert Rocha hold the Guns & Hoses trophy

 

Community Outreach, Traffic Safety Division

Police Enforce Cell Phone Safety In School Zones

The Corpus Christi Police Department shares parents concern about the safety of our children on their way to school. The Texas Transportation Code states that all drivers are prohibited from cell phone use in active school zones unless they use a hands free device. (when signs are posted: Transportation Code section 545.425).

The Corpus Christi Police will hold violators accountable for their actions to reduce the risk of accidents.

While you are in a school zone; drive your car, or talk on the phone, but don’t do both. No phone call is worth the risk.

Bravo District, Criminal Investigations Division, Traffic Safety Division

Crime Stoppers #34 Seek Information With Hit and Run

Hit & Run
August 5, 2012

Crime of the Week #34

Air Dates: August 22-29, 2012

Case # 1208050122

 

I am Senior Officer Kirk Stowers and I want your help to solve a Hit and Run Crash that seriously injured a woman with your Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers Crime of the Week.

Sunday, August 5th at 8:30 in the evening, a 21 year old woman jogged on Ocean Drive by Palmetto Park. The woman crossed the street at the intersection of Ocean Drive and Poenisch and was then struck by a light colored Sport Utility Vehicle.

The vehicle traveled a block past the crash, stopped for a moment, then sped away toward Ennis Joslin Road without offering any aid to the woman. The woman was transported to the hospital by ambulance with serious injuries.

Police have information from several witnesses, and have obtained video of the actual crash. The suspect vehicle is described as a light colored Chevy Blazer or GMC Jimmy with front end damage.

Investigators now need your help to locate the vehicle and the individual responsible for this Crash.

If you have any information about this crash or if you know where we can locate the vehicle call Crime Stoppers at 888- TIPS, or log on at 888tips.com. We want your information, not your name. The information you provide could earn you $1000 in cash.

Charlie District, Patrol Division

Police Officer Rescues 3 Year Old Girl

Occurred Wednesday, August 22, 2012, 23:05, 4300 Ramsey Street, Sick Call, 1208220135

A Corpus Christi Police Officer was credited for saving the life of a 3-year-old girl Wednesday night on Ramsey Street.

A 47-year-old woman called for an ambulance for help with her 3-year-old daughter who was not breathing.  Corpus Christi Police Officers arrived at the home before an ambulance could arrive. The mother was outside the home and held her 3-year-old daughter. The 3-year-old turned colors because she could not breathe.

Senior Officer L. Rodriguez recognized the 3-year-old had an obstructed airway and performed the Heimlich Maneuver to remove the obstruction. The child no longer had difficulty breathing after the obstruction was removed.

The child was taken to the hospital by ambulance for a medical evaluation. The obstruction was an unspecified object, possibly part of a toy.

Charlie District, Criminal Investigations Division, Patrol Division

15 Month Old Dies When Left Unattended In Vehicle

Occurred Wednesday, August 22, 2012, 15:47, 3700 Grassmere Drive, Injury to a Child 1208220083

A 15 month old boy died in a car seat after he was left unattended in a vehicle Wednesday afternoon on the 3700 block of Grassmere Drive.

A 26-year-old woman drove 7 children to a store Wednesday afternoon and returned to her home at the 3700 block of Grassmere Drive at 1:00pm. The 15 month old was in the company of 6 other children that range in age between 3 years old to 7 years old. Not all the children are children of the 26-year-old woman; but, the 15 month old boy is the child of the woman.

The 30-year-old father of the 15 month old child arrived at the home at 3:45pm and inquired about the 15 month old boy. The woman said she forgot the child in the car. The child was still in his car seat and not responsive.

The child was immediately rushed to the Children’s Hospital; but the child died.

Corpus Christi Police are carefully investigating this event to evaluate if criminal charges are appropriate.  Child Protective Services are evaluating the circumstances to determine the appropriate placement of the other children.

Corpus Christi Police urge parents and child caregivers to prevent hyperthermia in a few ways to avoid heat related injuries or death. Never leave a child alone in a vehicle and consistently leave all unattended vehicles locked. Create reminders and habits such as leave a purse, cell phone, or item you need at your next stop near the child. Finally, take action and call 911 immediately if you see an unattended child in a vehicle.

Bravo District, Patrol Division

18 Year Old Arrested For Stabbing On Meadow Ridge Drive

Occurred Monday, August 20, 2012, 7:51am, 3200 Meadow Ridge Drive, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, 1208200047

An 18 year old man was arrested Monday morning after he stabbed his 21-year-old brother at their home on the 3200 block of Meadow Ridge Drive.

The 21-year-old man called police from outside the home and said his 18-year-old brother, John Elmdahl (11/16/1993), cut him with a knife. The 21-year-old man had wounds to his back, chest, and right hand and was directly taken to the hospital by ambulance for medical treatment. The wounds were described as non-life threatening injuries.

Police entered the house and arrested Elmdahl for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, a 2nd degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Charlie District, Criminal Investigations Division

Vehicle Catches Fire At City Impound Lot

     

Occurred Monday, August 20, 2012, 6:37am 5485 Greenwood Drive, Arson 1208200038

A vehicle fire that happened Monday morning at the city impound lot has prompted an investigation as a possible arson.

Corpus Christi Police and Fire crews responded to the Corpus Christi city impound lot at 6:37am for a vehicle on fire. Several vehicles were damaged by the fire. Arson investigators were called to evaluate the damage once the fire was extinguished. No person was injured in the event.

The city impound lot is the holding area for seized vehicles. Vehicles are held in the impound lot for arrested persons until reclaimed by the owner, vehicles are stored at the impound lot as evidence, or nuisance vehicles are stored at the impound lot until auction.

The Corpus Christi City Impound lot has been open since March, 2012 funded by bond money from 2008. The impound lot has 11 paved acres, overhead lights, a chain link perimeter fence, and a controlled access gate. Corpus Christi Police impounded 6,579 vehicles in 2011 and average 500 to 600 vehicles towed to the impound lot each month.

Arson Investigators are currently investigating the burned vehicles to identify the cause of the fire and determine if the damage was a criminal act.