All posts by Mike Alanis

Community Outreach

30 Year Anniversary of the Death of Sergeant Ruben Almanza

30 Year Anniversary of the Death of Sergeant Ruben Almanza

Sgt. Ruben Almanza

On July 27, 1984, Sergeant Ruben Almanza was assigned to the Narcotics Division and responded to assist officers on an armed robbery of the H.E.B. at Kostoryz and Gollihar.

The suspects fled in a vehicle and bailed on foot in the residential neighborhood at Harold Street and Carroll Lane. Sergeant Almanza, working in plain clothes, walked through yards on Harold Street looking for the suspect when he was ambushed and shot through a hole in a fence board by the suspect.

Almanza fell to the ground and the suspect climbed over the fence and straddled Almanza, taking his service weapon, and then appeared he was going to shoot him again. At that point, now retired Lieutenant Eric Wramp, peered over the fence and fatally shot the suspect. Sergeant Almanza was rushed to the hospital where he later passed away from his injuries a few minutes after midnight on July 28th.

Ruben joined the department on August 28, 1975. He worked in patrol and was later assigned to Special Services. Ruben’s police radio call sign was #419 while assigned to narcotics. The number was retired upon his death.

There are a few officers still working today which had the privilege and honor to have worked with Ruben. Sergeant Almanza is survived by his wife, Irma and three daughters, Melissa, Jennifer, and Tina.

Adam District, Bravo District, Charlie District, Delta District, Traffic Safety Division

Patrol Report July 25, 2014

“Charlie” District

Date: 07/25/2014 2:00AM
Location: 4201 South Padre Island Drive
Offense: Burglary of Building (PC 30.02 State Jail Felony)
Case Number: 1407250013


Corpus Christi Police Officers responded to a business located in the 4200 S Padre Island Drive for a burglary alarm. Officers discovered a door on the east side of the building with a bottom window pane forced open. The glass to the window pane was shattered and there was enough room for someone to make entry. Officers went in the building and found a cash register that had been forced open.  It is unclear if any or how much money was taken. Damage to the door was estimated at $100.

“Bravo” District

Date: 07/24/2014 4:00 PM
Location: 5100 Yorktown Blvd.
Offense: Major Crash
Case Number: C1402912

Corpus Christi Police Officers responded to a major crash at the intersection of Waldron Rd. and Yorktown Blvd.  The crash investigation revealed that a 2004 Honda Pilot driven by a 67 year old female was traveling east on Yorktown Blvd when she approached the intersection thinking it was a 4 way stop.  As she turned north on Waldron Rd. , a  2013 Toyota Tundra driven by a 38 year old male was traveling west on Yorktown Blvd. and could not stop in time to avoid a crash.  The force of the impact caused the Honda to roll over onto its roof.  The driver of the Honda along with two male passengers ages 12 and 13, were all transported to local hospitals for treatment.  At last report both boys were stable and sustained non life threatening injuries.  The driver of the Toyota was not injured.  No citations or charges have been filed as this crash remains under investigation.

“Delta” District

Date: 07/25/2014 43:10 AM
Location: 4100 State Highway 286 North
Offense: Major Crash
Case Number: C1402921

Corpus Christi Police Officers responded to a roll over crash with a pedestrian being struck.  The crash investigation showed that two crashes had occurred.  The first crash happened when a 2007 Chrysler 300 driven by a 22 year old male and occupied by another 22 year old male struck the rear of a tractor trailer semi-truck. The tractor trailer and the Chrysler were both traveling north on State Highway 286 near the Horne Rd. overpass at the time of the crash. Both drivers and the male passenger all got out and were examining the damage. The crash disabled the Chrysler in the lane of travel.  Just a few minutes later, a 2012 Dodge truck driven by a 52 year old male came around the corner on the freeway and was not able to avoid the vehicles or people in the roadway. The Dodge truck struck the driver of the Chrysler 300, but luckily missed the other two men.  The male was transported to Spohn MMC with several broken bones, however, his injuries do not appear to be life threatening. The Crosstown Freeway north from Horne Rd. to Gollihar Rd. was closed down for nearly three hours while the crash was investigated. No citations or charges have been filed as this crash remains under investigation.

“Charlie” District

Date: 07/24/2014 8:15 AM
Location: 3100 Manshiem Street
Offense: Felon in Possession of Firearm (PC 46.04  Third Degree Felony)
Case Number: 1407240039

A Corpus Christi Police Officer stopped a male in the 3100 block of Manshiem St. and as he was speaking to him, a nearby resident informed another officer that he had just seen the male discard a handgun in his backyard. Officers located the handgun and found that it had been stolen during an auto burglary at La Palmera Mall on July 19.  Paul Chapa (02/19/1979) was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, a third degree felony and two counts of burglary both Class A misdemeanors.

 

 

Search the website Crimereports.com to research all reported criminal activity in Corpus Christi. Anyone who knows any additional information about these crimes should contact the Corpus Christi Police Department at 886-2841. Information about unsolved crimes may be provided to investigators anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or online at 888TIPS.com. Information provided to Crime Stoppers which results in an arrest may earn the caller a cash reward.

Community Outreach

4th of July Enforcement and Operations

During the 4th of July weekend the Corpus Christi Police Department assigned additional officers to assist with the large crowds that were expected at the beach and in the downtown area. Officers also accompanied the CCFD on a fireworks detail.

The following numbers are from the holiday weekend beginning on July 3, 2014 to include all officers working.

DWI’s:
7/3 – 7
7/4 – 6
7/5 – 6
7/6 – 9

In 2013 the number of DWI’s was 15 for the same time frame.

Between 6 p.m. July 4th to 5 a.m. July 5th the Corpus Christi Police Department’s MetroCom (Dispatch) received a total of 1,570 calls for service (1,178 in 2013). Of those calls, 491 were solely for fireworks (395 in 2013).

Officers issued 42 Firework Citations over the weekend.