Category Archives: Community Outreach

#4 West Nile Mosquito Detected 5800 Crest Circle

The Corpus Christi Animal Control and Vector Services received a confirmation of West Nile virus in a mosquito in the 5800 Block  of Crest Circle from a test that was submitted on July 6, 2016.

Vector Services has implemented the Mosquito Management Response Plan to this detection. The response entails the following:

  1. The spraying of a 1/2 mile radius around the area of the detection for three consecutive nights beginning tonight.
  2. Police Directed Patrol officers and Neighborhood Services personnel will be attempting to locate any standing water in the affected neighborhood including examining abandoned properties.
  3. Vector Services will conduct continuing surveillance of mosquito traps in the immediate area for signs of the Culex species of mosquito responsible for West Nile virus.AreasWestNile

The need to spray a larger area is not necessary based on the entomology of the Culex species mosquito and the normal travel distance of this mosquito.

Vector Control will be conducting the aerial spray in the evening, and at dusk, since that is the time the Culex is most active. Residents are reminded to check their property for standing water and to avoid if possible outdoor activities at dusk and dawn, wear long sleeve shirts and long pants if possible. Use appropriate mosquito repellent with DEET for themselves and their children. Please call 361-826-2489 if you wish to report abandoned property or high grass or standing water.

 

 

West Nile Mosquito Management Response Plan 2800 Dempsey St

The Corpus Christi Animal Control and Vector Services received a confirmation of West Nile virus in a mosquito in the 2800 Block Dempsey St from a test that was submitted on July 6, 2016.

Vector Services has implemented the Mosquito Management Response Plan to this detection. The response entails the following:

  1. The spraying of a 1/2 mile radius around the area of the detection for three consecutive nights beginning tonight.
  2. Police Directed Patrol officers and Neighborhood Services personnel will be attempting to locate any standing water in the affected neighborhood including examining abandoned properties.
  3. Vector Services will conduct continuing surveillance of mosquito traps in the immediate area for signs of the Culex species of mosquito responsible for West Nile virus.

The need to spray a larger area is not necessary based on the entomology of the Culex species mosquito and the normal travel distance of this mosquito.

Vector Control will be conducting the aerial spray in the evening, and at dusk, since that is the time the Culex is most active.  Residents are reminded to check their property for standing water and to avoid if possible outdoor activities at dusk and dawn, wear long sleeve shirts and long pants if possible. Use appropriate mosquito repellent with DEET for themselves and their children. Please call 361-826-2489 if you wish to report abandoned property or high grass or standing water.  2800 Dempsey

Police Need your Help Identifying These Theft suspects

Date: 07/10/2016    8:40 PM
Location: 4109 S. Staples Street
Offense: Theft (31.03 BM) Criminal Mischief (28.03 BM)
Case Number: 1607110133

Corpus Christi Police Department detectives need your help identifying these two theft suspects. The two suspects were observed on surveillance cameras entering Wal Mart. They were then seen prying open a cash register and taking a undisclosed amount of money. The suspects were then seen on camera exiting the store.

Anyone who knows any additional information about this crime should contact the Corpus Christi Police Department at 886-2600. Information about this  crime 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.

Murder Suspect Arrested in Fort Bend County

Corpus Christi Police Detectives and Gang Unit worked with various Law Enforcement agencies in tracking down and arresting the suspect from the city’s latest homicide.

Officers arrested 27 year old Joseph Deark Cancino (07-25-1988) for the murder that occurred at the Office Club in the 2400 block of Rand Morgan. Joseph was located and arrested in Fort Bend County. His bond has been set at $250,000. This was an excellent coordinated effort in getting a dangerous individual off the street.

More information will be released as it becomes available.

Murder suspect wanted from shooting at 2400 Rand Morgan

Date: 07/10/2016    1:41 AM
Location: 2400 Rand Morgan
Offense: Murder
P.C.  19.02      First Degree Felony

Case Number: 1607100014

Corpus Christi Police Officers responded to the 2400 block of Rand Morgan for a fight to occur at a bar. As officers were en route to the bar, the call was updated to a shooting. Officers arrived and found a 36 year old male deceased from possible gunshot wounds. The suspect(s) fled the scene before officers arrived.

CCPD Detectives and Crime Scene technicians arrived and are processing the scene. Witnesses were transported to the main police station to be interviewed. The investigation is in the early stages and is ongoing.

Anyone who knows any additional information about this crime should contact the Corpus Christi Police Department at 886-2600. Information about this crime 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.

Crime Stoppers has a cash reward for the first person to find this Fugitive and call 888-TIPS

Noe Hurtado (8/12/1973) is wanted in Nueces County for theft.
Noe Hurtado (8/12/1973) is wanted in Nueces County for theft.

Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers has a cash reward for the first person to find Noe Hurtado and call 888-TIPS.

Noe Hurtado is a fugitive and wanted in Nueces County for felony theft. Hurtado is described as a 42-year-old white male who stands 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighs 220 pounds, has black hair, brown eyes, and has a dragon tattooed on his chest.

If you can help law enforcement locate Hurtado, call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit the information online at http://www.888TIPS.com. Information provided to Crime Stoppers is confidential and there is a cash reward available if it leads to an arrest.

Missing Person Carina Castellanos Found Murdered. Suspect Arrested

Date: Thursday, June 30, 2016
Location: 1000 block of Herndon Street
Event: Missing Person
Case Number: 1606300177

On July 6, 2016, Corpus Christi Police Department Family Violence Detectives obtained a warrant for the arrest of Nigel Green (2/23/86).  The warrants were obtained for Aggravated Assault (Family Violence) where Carina Castellanos was the victim.  The Aggravated Assault had occurred in the 1000 blk of Herndon on June 10, 2016. 

The United States Marshal’s Violent Offender Task Force, out of San Antonio, located and arrested Nigel Green on July 7, 2016.  CCPD Robbery/Homicide Detectives, who were handling the missing person report regarding Carina, went to San Antonio and transported Nigel back to Corpus Christi.  During the interview with Detectives, Nigel confessed to murdering Carina Castellanos.  Nigel Green then led Detectives to a corn field along Interstate 37 and Highway 359 in Mathis, Texas.  In a ditch, bordering the corn field, Detectives found the remains of what we believe is the body of Carina Castellanos.   

Nigel Green was arrested for the Aggravated Assault (Family Violence) warrants and Murder. 

Suspect arrested for Murder after a shooting in the 1100 block of Bloomington

Date: 07/08/2016    12:55 AM
Location: 1100 Bloomington
Offense: Murder
P.C.  19.02      First Degree Felony

Case Number: 1607080003

Corpus Christi Police Department officers were dispatched to 1100 Bloomington in reference to a shooting. Officers arrived and observed a 30 year old female victim that appeared to have been shot. The victim was transported to Christus Spohn Memorial Hospital.

Officers observed a black Ford Expedition parked at that location.  Three subjects were detained and transported to the main police station for questioning. Initial information is that the suspect and a witness were arguing outside the vehicle. At some point the argument turned physical and shots were fired striking the victim. The scene was processed and a weapon was recovered.

During the investigation officers and detectives were advised that the 30 year old victim died at the hospital.  33 year old Feliciano Cruz (10/01/1982) was arrested and charged with murder and several other crimes related to the incident. Cruz was transported to the City Detention Center.

This is still an active investigation, information will be released as it becomes available.

Anyone who knows any additional information about this crime should contact the Corpus Christi Police Department at 886-2840. 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.

Corpus Christi Police Announce Independence Day Weekend By the Numbers

The Corpus Christi Police are pleased to announce that there were no deaths in Corpus Christi as a result of criminal action. There was one vehicle crash with a fatal injury that was an accident. Additionally, the Corpus Christi had the following statistical data to show a snapshot of the Holiday weekend activity from 8am on July 1st to 10am on July 5th 2016:

  • Fireworks complaints = 248
  • Discharging Firearms in a Municipality case = 1
  • Loud Noise complaints = 96
  • Vehicle Crashes = 169
  • Disturbance complaints = 583
  • Misdemeanor Assault cases = 44
  • Aggravated Assault cases = 16
  • Driving While Intoxicated as a first offense arrests= 14
  • Driving While Intoxicated as a second offense arrests = 2
  • Driving While Intoxicated with three or more previous convictions = 4
  • Driving While Intoxicated with a child passenger = 4
  • Public Intoxication arrests = 94
  • Consumption of Alcohol by Minor detentions = 5
  • Possession of Alcohol by Minor detentions = 2
  • Intoxicated Assault arrests = 1
  • Intoxicated manslaughter cases = 0
  • Murder cases = 0
  • Drowning = 0
Spent fireworks litter Corpus Christi residential streets
Spent fireworks litter Corpus Christi residential streets like this shown on the 2500 block of Crestlea Dr.

The Corpus Christi Police continue to patrol and work their summer crime initiative to reduce the risk of injury and property damage. Our mission is to work as an equal partner with the community to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime, and enhance public safety.

“Virtual Kidnapping” calls on the rise

Several local residents have been targeted recently for a fraud/scam that has been labeled as “virtual kidnapping”.   The caller tells the targeted victim that a grandson or other family member is in trouble, usually out of the country, and then they are given instructions on wiring or sending money electronically to solve the problem.

Are you putting too much personal information about your grandkids or other family members on your Facebook Page for all the world to see?  This scam is nothing new and it appears that the criminals are getting the relationship information from family social media pages.   It also appears that these criminals target elderly family members who might have only occasional contact with the family member that is “kidnapped”.

The F.B.I. suggests the following action if you receive one of these calls.

To avoid becoming a victim of this extortion scheme, look for the following possible indicators:

  • Incoming calls come from an outside area code, sometimes from Puerto Rico with area codes (787), (939) and (856)
  • Calls do not come from the kidnapped victim’s phone
  • Callers go to great lengths to keep you on the phone
  • Callers prevent you from calling or locating the “kidnapped” victim
  • Ransom money is only accepted via wire transfer service

If you receive a phone call from someone who demands payment of a ransom for a kidnapped victim, the following should be considered:

  • Try to slow the situation down. Request to speak to the victim directly. Ask, “How do I know my loved one is okay?”
  • If they don’t let you speak to the victim, ask them to describe the victim or describe the vehicle they drive, if applicable.
  • Listen carefully to the voice of the kidnapped victim if they speak.
  • Attempt to call, text, or contact the victim via social media. Request that the victim call back from his or her cell phone.
  • While staying on the line with alleged kidnappers, try to call the alleged kidnap victim from another phone.
  • To buy time, repeat the caller’s request and tell them you are writing down the demand, or tell the caller you need time to get things moving.
  • Don’t directly challenge or argue with the caller. Keep your voice low and steady.

Request the kidnapped victim call back from his/her cell phone.