Corpus Christi Police Department Investigators are searching for an individual responsible for several robberies that have occurred during the month of February.

The robberies were committed by a person with the same physical description and/or with a similar method of approach, so investigators are exploring the possibility that the robberies are related or are being committed by the same person.  All of these robberies have taken place in a public setting, while the victim has been sitting in or was near their vehicle.

Corpus Christi Police Officers are urging the community to be vigilant about their safety, you are reminded to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Once you are inside of your vehicle, please lock the doors as an added safety measure.  Do not sit inside of your vehicle while checking your phone, looking at receipts or paperwork.  Be aware if you are at or traveling from an atm.  Stay alert and try to remain in well-lit, highly populated locations.

Anyone with any additional information about these crimes should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) on online at cctexas.com/crimestoppers.  Information provided to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest may earn you a cash reward.

Nueces County Sheriffs Office is asking for your help to locate 28-year-old Kurt Clyde Solis (01/05/1990) who has an outstanding warrant out of Nueces County for Failure to Appear/Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle case/No Bond.

Solis is described as a 28-year-old male who stands 5′ 11″, weighs approximately 230 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

If you know how to locate Kurt Solis, call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the information online at cctexas.com/crimestoppers, it can earn you a cash reward.  The information you provide to Crime Stoppers is anonymous and if the information leads to an arrest, it could earn you a cash reward.  You may also contact the Nueces County Sheriff’s Office at 887-2239 or 887-2219 after 5:00 pm.  

Update: The robbery suspect has been taken into police custody.

Date: Wednesday, February 21, 2018
4:23 PM Location: 6000 Block of SPID
Offense: Robbery
Case Number: 1802210113

Corpus Christi Police Officers responded to a Robbery at 4:23 PM at a Bank in the 6000 Block of SPID.

Investigators are searching for the suspect who committed this robbery.  The male was described as a white male, mid 20’s, standing 6’00”, approximately 130 pounds, brown hair, blue eyes, wearing a red shirt, shorts, black hoodie and a blue/gray baseball cap. The suspect was last seen leaving in a small, white 4 door vehicle.

Anyone who can identify this suspect, or who has any additional information about this crime should call (361) 886-2600.  If you have any information about this crime and want to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 888-tips or submit the information online at http://www.cctexas.com/crimestoppers.  If the information you provide leads to an arrest, you could earn a cash reward.

A 20-year-old man, who provided his customers a wide array of illegal substances, was busted late last week by Officers with the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division. Officers served a pre-planned search warrant on his residence in the 4300 block of Vestal street around noontime last Thursday. During the search, officers found and seized approximately one ounce of cocaine, one half-ounce of crack cocaine, five ounces of THC “wax”, six ounces of marijuana, an AK-47 type semi-auto rifle, two pistol grip shotguns, four handguns, and two bullet resistant vests; one of the vests had been reported stolen from a federal law enforcement agent during an previous auto burglary. Officers arrested Aaron Seth Bender (DOB: 6-27-1997) and charged him with manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance in penalty group 1, manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance in penalty group 2, both first degree felonies, and possession of marijuana, a Class A misdemeanor. The felonies are punishable by five to ninety-nine years in prison, while the misdemeanor charge carries a term of up to one year in jail. Detectives are continuing to investigate and additional charges are possible.

NVID Detectives, who had invested a great deal of time and effort into this case over a period of several months, were gratified by the amount of drugs recovered, as well as the number of firearms and stolen bullet proof vests that were seized during the raid.

Date: Sunday, November 12, 2017, 9:29 PM
Location: 4400 block of Kostoryz
Offense: Assault Security Officer, Assault Causes Bodily Injury
Case Number: 1711120106

At approximately 9:29 PM on Sunday, November 12, 2017, Officers were dispatched to the 4400 block of Kostoryz for an assault. Upon arrival, officers made contact with a 57-year-old male, who was working in the capacity of a security guard at the time of the assault.

The 57-year-old male advised that he was sitting on his security bicycle, completing an incident report on a handheld device, when an unknown male ran up behind him and pushed him off of his bicycle. The 57-year-old victim advised that his fall caused pain and injury.  The victim and a witness reported seeing the suspect running toward a nearby apartment complex and being picked up by a dark in color SUV.

Surveillance footage captures two males completing a purchase, exiting the store together and walking to a dark in color SUV.   The passenger soon after exits the SUV, runs up to the 57-year-old victim and knocks him to the ground for no apparent reason.  Additional footage shows the suspect running away from the scene and the SUV exiting the parking lot where the suspect is picked up outside of camera view.

The suspects are facing charges of Assault on a Security Officer (3rd degree felony) and Assault Causes Bodily Injury (Class A misdemeanor).

If you can identify either of the males in this video, or have any additional information about this crime, please call the Corpus Christi Police Department at 886-2600. Information may be provided anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or online at cctexas.com/crimestoppers.  If the information you provide leads to an arrest, it could earn you a cash reward.

Date: Monday, February 19, 2018 3:05 AM
Location: 3800 block of Brandywine
Offenses: Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Burglary of a Habitation with Intended Other Felony
Unlawful Possession Firearm by a Felon
Harassment by Persons in Correctional Facility
Case Number: 1802190020

Corpus Christi Police Officers were dispatched to the 3800 block of Brandywine in reference to a shooting. Officers arrived and contacted a witness to the incident.  The witness advised that they initially heard a verbal argument, a physical disturbance, and then heard what they thought to be a gun shot.  The witness then observed a male suspect leaving the home and went to check on the victim, who was found to be lying on the floor unconscious with a head wound.  This head wound was initially thought to be a gunshot wound.

Through their investigation, officers determined that the suspect was at a residence across the breezeway from the original incident.  Officers initially attempted to communicate with the suspect via the police car speaker, which resulted in two of the occupants exiting the home.  It was discovered that two additional persons remained inside the home with the suspect and it was unclear if these people were being held against their will.  Due to these circumstances the SWAT and Hostage Negotiation teams were called to the scene.

SWAT and HNT arrived and attempted negotiations with the suspect.  After two hours of communicating, the other two persons inside the home were able to safely exit the home, leaving only the suspect inside the residence.  Officers exhausted all means of communication and efforts were unsuccessful in gaining compliance from the suspect to exit the residence.  SWAT operators eventually introduced gas into the home and were able to extract the offender from the residence.

He was taken into custody at approximately 6:11 AM.

It was later determined that the victim, a 62-year-old male, did not sustain a gunshot wound.  The victim was hit with the handgun several times, which resulted in a head injury.  The victim reported that a shot was fired during the incident but he was not hit.

A consent to search was obtained and a handgun was located inside of the residence and it was seized as evidence.

The offender was identified as Juan Machuca (03/25/96).  He was transported to Christus Spohn Shoreline to be medically cleared prior to booking. While at the Hospital, Offender Machuca assaulted a Corpus Christi Police Officer by spitting in the Officer’s face.

Juan Machuca was booked on the following charges: Aggravated Assault With A Deadly Weapon, Burglary Of Habitation With Intended Other Felony, Harassment By Person In Correctional Facility and Unlawful Possession Of A Firearm By A Felon.

Date:  Thursday, February 01, 2018 7:02 AM
Location: 6700 Everhart Road.
Incident:  Murder
Incident Number:  1802010019

Corpus Christi Police Officers were dispatched to 5900 Saratoga Blvd at Spohn South Hospital in reference to a deceased 24 year old female with bruising to her body. Officers arrived and made contact with the 26 year old male suspect. Detectives arrived and took over the investigation. The suspect was transported to the main police station where he was interviewed and released. Detectives received the autopsy report and developed enough probable cause to have a murder warrant issued. On Sunday February 4, 2018 officers in San Patricio County arrested Steven Urias (03-30-1991) for the murder warrant and transported him to the San Patricio County Jail. This is still an ongoing investigation and there is no further information at this time.

The Vehicles for Hire Office wants to educate the citizens of Corpus Christi about individuals advertising for local rides on social media and ad websites like craigslist without having the proper city permits and or a Certificate of Operations to conduct themselves as a driver.  This has been an ongoing situation and we want citizens to be aware of it.

Individuals engaging in this activity of offering rides and charging money, will face several fines including driving without having a permit and Driving without a Certificate of Operations, and impoundment of the vehicle (s) among others.

Our priority is the safety of the public and, mostly for the citizens taking a ride with a driver.  We want to make sure that when an individual gets into a vehicle with a driver that they feel confident that a background check has been done on the driver and that the company is meeting all the requirements and is compliant with city codes.

Vehicle for Hire Drivers will need to have their city permit always visible to the public. If you don’t see one, ask the driver to show you their city permit, if the driver doesn’t have a permit, we advise to get out of the vehicle and call the Police.  Also, be advise that another way to determine if a vehicle is permitted is to look for a maroon windshield sticker.  Each vehicle is required to have one on the front windshield on the upper passenger side and on the rear windshield on the bottom driver’s side.

We all would like to envision that we are putting a love one (Mother, wife, or daughter) in a vehicle and they would make it to their destination safely.  Especially, if our love one calls for a driver in the middle of the night.

Vehicles for Hire Office also wants to remind the public that Ride Sharing Companies such as Uber or Lyft are now State Regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and registration TDLR. If there’s any complaint in regards to those specific companies please go to https://www.license.state.tx.us/

If you ever have a doubt or complaint about a Taxi or Vehicle for Hire Company or you are not sure if the company is permitted, or the driver please do not hesitate to contact the Vehicle for Hire Office at (361) 826-3558 Respectfully,

Grace Elledge
Vehicle for Hire Inspector
Corpus Christi Police Department
Office: 361-826-3558
Email: GraceE@cctexas.com