Category Archives: Delta District

Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division, Delta District

Man Stymied When He Attempts to Rob Local Family Dollar

Occurred on 12/21/12, 8:51pm  Aggravated Robbery  1519 S. Port Avenue  1212210126

Police were called to the Family Dollar Store for a robbery in progress.  A store clerk told Officers an armed Hispanic man walked up to the counter as if to purchase some items and then pointed a firearm at her.  The man demanded the money from the register, but the clerk refused to do so and walked away.  The store clerk grabbed a phone and told the robber she was calling police.

The robber approached a nearby clerk and again demanded the money from her register at gunpoint.  The clerk was unable to open the register and the man gave up, leaving the store. No one was injured in the foiled robbery.

The suspect is described as a White male, in his early 20’s, 5’7″ to 5’9″ feet tall and weighing 180 to 200 lbs.  Anyone with any information on this crime is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit a tip online at www.888TIPS.com.  Callers will received a cash reward if the suspect is identified and arrested.

Charlie District, Delta District, Narcotics/Vice Division

Couple Arrested after Officers Investigate Citizen’s Complaint of Drug Sales

Officer G. Cantu tags drugs and money seized.
Officer G. Cantu tags drugs and money seized.

Occurred on 01/04/13, 03:29am   Possession of Controlled Substance  3922 Tiger Lane  1301040015

Officer G. Cantu contacted the residents at 3922 Tiger after he was advised they were selling Marijuana and other drugs out of the home.  Senior Officer J. Smith and Officer Cantu knocked on the door and when it was opened they could smell burnt Marijuana coming from inside the home.  Richard Rodriguez (06/02/89) allowed Officers inside the home.  Also in the home was his girlfriend Angel M. Rangel (12/10/88) and his Mother.

Further investigation revealed Rodriguez had been smoking Marijuana inside the home and was in the process of making himself something to eat when Officers arrived.   A search of the house turned up a quantity of Marijuana, Heroin, and an assortment of pills along with $1400 cash.  The drugs and money were seized along with several scales.

Rodriguez was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Dangerous Drug, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.   Rangel was also arrested when Officer C. Volling found her to have a baggy of Marijuana in her coat pocket.  She was charged with Possession  of Marijuana.

Richard Paul Rodriguez
Angela M. Rangel

Delta District

Burglar Caught in the Act by Neighbors Who Call Police

Armando De Leon
Armando De Leon


Occurred on 101/01/13, 11:33am  Burglary of a Habitation  1100 S. Brownlee 1301010077

Officers were dispatched to the 1100 block of S. Brownlee after neighbors observed a man kick his way into a residence through the front door.

Armando De Leon (05/23/75) was caught by Senior Officer J. Neal Jr. as he walked away from the residence.   De Leon was positively identified by a witness and placed under arrest.  He was charged with Burglary of a Habitation which is a 2nd degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Delta District, Traffic Safety Division

Man Causes Crash At Staples & Kostroyz With Fatal Injury, Then Arrested For Intoxication Manslaughter

Intersection of Kostoryz and Staples by Google
Intersection of Kostoryz and Staples by Google

Occurred Monday, December 31, 2012, 5:47am, Staples St. at Kostoryz St. Intoxication Manslaughter, 1212310030

A 22-year-old man was arrested for intoxication manslaughter Monday morning after a single vehicle crash that resulted in the death of a 22-year-old man.

A black 2003 Kia Sorento was driven by 22-year-old Michael Valenzuela (10/18/1990) on Kostoryz Monday morning at about 5:45am. The Kia traveled north on Kostroyz to the Staples Street intersection and then conducted a left turn onto Staples Street. Valenzuela lost control of the vehicle and the Kia struck the curb on the right side of the roadway and then rolled. The Kia landed on the driver’s side.

A 22-year-old man was the rear passenger in the Kia and was ejected from the Kia. The 22-year-old passenger was not wearing a seat belt and was fatally injured. The two women passengers and Valenzuela were uninjured in the crash.

Corpus Christi Police investigated the crash and discovered Valenzuela was in possession of marijuana. Investigating officers believe speed was a contributing factor to the crash and also discovered evidence Valenzuela was intoxicated.

Police Officers took Valenzuela to Spohn Shoreline Hospital for a medical evaluation and to collect a specimen of his blood. Valenzuela was then delivered to the Corpus Christi city detention center.

Valenzuela was arrested for Intoxication Manslaughter (a second degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine) and for possession of marijuana (a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and up to a $2,000 fine).

Traffic was disrupted in the intersection for about 2 hours.

Corpus Christi Police remind motorists that everyone in a vehicle must wear a seatbelt. Police also urge everyone to reduce the risk in traffic and have a driver that has not consumed alcohol.

Delta District, Patrol Division

Man Barricades Himself In Home To Avoid Arrest on Talisman Street

Occurred Friday, December 28, 2012, 20:38, 1800 Talisman Street, Aggravated Assault, 1212280142

               A 55-year-old man was arrested safely Friday night after he barricaded himself in his home for about an hour and a half on the 1800 block of Talisman Street.

Corpus Christi Police were called to a disturbance at 8:40pm on the 1800 block of Talisman Street Friday night. A 32-year-old woman called police and said her 55-year-old friend, Juan Medina (7/2/1957) shot at her with a pistol. The woman said she was not injured and was able to get away from Medina.

The 32-year-old woman said she and Medina became involved in a disturbance which escalated to the point that Medina shot once in her direction. The 32-year-old woman said Medina was intoxicated and at his house alone.

Corpus Christi Police went to the house; but, Medina went into the house and refused to meet with the police officers. Medina was armed, had fired one shot at a person, and had gone into a shelter to a hidden position, so the Corpus Christi SWAT team and the Hostage Negotiating team were summoned to seek a peaceful end to the event.

The 4000 block of Niagra Street and the 1800 block of Talisman Street were closed to traffic for the duration of the negotiation. Several neighbors were displaced from their home to keep them at a safe distance during the event.

Medina was safely arrested at 10:40pm by the Corpus Christi SWAT team for Aggravated Assault (a 1st degree felony), Unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (a 3rd degree felony), and for unlawful restraint (a Class A misdemeanor). Medina was then delivered to the city detention center.

Delta District, Traffic Safety Division

Two Injured In Single Vehicle Crash on Cross-town Expressway

Occurred Thursday, December 27, 2012, 11:57am, 3300 State Highway 286, Major Crash C1209784

                Two people were injured in a single vehicle crash Thursday at noon on the 3300 block of the Cross-town Expressway.

A white 2010 Toyota Corolla was driven by a 21-year-old woman at noon Thursday on the Cross-town Expressway near Port Avenue. The Corolla traveled north toward downtown on wet roads and left the roadway to the right and struck a palm tree.

The 21-year-old woman driver and the 21-year-old man passenger had minor injuries and were not taken to the hospital. The two children in the back seat of the Corolla were not injured in the crash.

The Corolla was towed away due to damage and the 21-year-old woman was issued a citation for failure to control speed. No other vehicles or people were involved in the crash.

Criminal Investigations Division, Delta District

Police Investigate Suspicious Death on 7th Street

Corpus Christi Police closed off the 1500 block of 7th Street while a suspicious death was investigated
Corpus Christi Police closed off the 1500 block of 7th Street while a suspicious death was investigated

Occurred Wednesday, December 19, 2012, 7:16am, 1529 Seventh Street, 1212190013

The Corpus Christi Police Department are investigating a suspicious death on the 1500 block of Seventh Street that was discovered by the Corpus Christi Fire Department on Wednesday morning.

Corpus Christi Fire Fighters responded to a structure fire at 1529 Seventh Street at 7:16 in the morning on December 19, 2012. Corpus Christi Police went to the area of the 1500 block of Seventh to provide traffic direction on the public rights of way.

The Fire Fighters discovered a person who was not alive and notified the Police Department. Corpus Christi Police Detectives and Arson Investigators arrived to evaluate the conditions.

Police Detectives state the death is suspicious and urge anyone with information about this event to call Corpus Christi Police Detectives at 886-2841. Information may be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or online at http://www.888TIPS.com.

Criminal Investigations Division, Delta District

Police Seek To Identify Two Men Responsible For Aggravated Assault on Ayers

     Suspect2

Occurred Sunday, December 9, 2012, 22:22 3206 Ayers Street, Aggravated Assault, 1212090118

                A 24-year-old man was stabbed Sunday night and Police would like help from the public to identify and locate those responsible for the crime.

A 24-year-old man went to his vehicle at 10:20pm in the parking lot of El Rincon located at 3206 Ayers Street and was hit from behind when he went to open the truck door. The 24-year-old man said he turned around and saw a Hispanic man who wore a #88 Dallas Cowboys jersey. The 24-year-old man said he realized he was stabbed and fell to the ground. Once on the ground, several other men hit the 24-year-old man.

The men responsible for the assault then left the area last seen travelling east on Blevins Street.

Corpus Christi Police Detectives now want help from the public to identify and locate those responsible for the assault. Detectives have video images of two of the men responsible for this assault.

The man who used the knife and originally contacted the 24-year-old victim is described as a Hispanic man who stands about 5 foot 7 inches tall, weighs about 150 pounds, has brown hair, brown eyes, and has tattoos on his body and arms and wore a Dallas Cowboys #88 blue jersey with Bryant written on the back.

A second man involved in the assault who was seen playing several games of pool with the man who used the knife is described as a black man who is about 6 feet tall, and wore a blue Houston Texans #56 jersey with Cushing written on the back.

Anyone with any additional information about this crime or who can identify these individuals should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at http://www.888TIPS.com.

Criminal Investigations Division, Delta District, Patrol Division

Police Investigate Murder At Lounge On South Water Street

Occurred Saturday, December 15, 2012, 3:36am, 505 South Water Street, Homicide 1212150028

                A 29-year-old man was fatally injured Saturday morning after a disturbance at the Smokin Waves Lounge at 505 S. Water Street.

A crowd met at the Lounge Saturday morning and a disturbance happened among the group. One man from the group walked away from the group, and then presented a pistol and discharged the firearm in the direction of the crowd. The man who discharged the firearm then left in a red Dodge Durango.

One man was injured in event. The injured 29-year-old man was taken by ambulance to the hospital where he died from the injury.

Police began a search for a Hispanic man between 20-29 years of age who wore a short sleeve button up red plaid shirt and blue jeans and was last seen in a red Dodge Durango truck.

Anyone with additional information should call the Corpus Christi Police at 886-2841. Information may be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888TIPS.com.

Delta District

Armed Gunmen Rob Convenience Store

Occurred on 12/11/12, 2:04am  Aggravated Robbery    3238 Buddy Lawrence  1212110008

Officers responded to the Stripes Convenience store and contacted the store clerk who reported two Hispanic males entered the store and demanded the money from the cash register.  One of the men was armed with a firearm.  The clerk who was uninjured handed over an undetermined amount of money.

The first suspect was described medium built Hispanic man, 5’6” to 5’7” feet tall, and weighing 190 to 200 lbs.  The second suspect was also described as a Hispanic man, 5’8” to 5’9” feet tall and weighing 150 to 160 lbs.  They were last seen wearing black shorts, black hoodie, black mask and gloves.

Anyone with any information on this crime is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit a tip online at http://www.888TIPS.com.  Tipsters will earn a cash reward if the suspects are arrested.