Occurred on 10/05/12, 01:24 am  Aggravated Assault w/a Deadly Weapon  733 Landsdown  Drive  1210050010

A 30-year-old man was stabbed in the abdomen during a fight involving several subjects.  Police were called to 733 Lansdown for a fight.  Upon their arrival, Officers found several individuals in front of the residence.

The victim told Officers he was at a local amphitheater when he was involved in a fight with Ruben Salazar’s (05/13/59) son.  The animosity stemmed from the victim kissing Salazar son’s “baby mama.”  Both men agreed to meet at the Lansdown residence to resolve the situation.  Once there, he was met by the Salazar and his 26-year-old son.   The two younger men tried to work things out, but a “fist fight” ensued between the three men.

The Officers were told by the victim, he’d been punched a couple of times, but was not seriously injured.  During their conversation, an Officer noticed a blood stain growing on the victim’s abdomen and asked him to pull his shirt up.  It was then that Officers observed a couple of stab wounds and called for an ambulance. He was taken to Spohn Memorial by CCFD Emergency Personnel with non-life threatening injuries.

Further investigation revealed, Salazar had stabbed the victim during the fight.  Salazar was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The Corpus Christi Animal Shelter set an all time record for adoptions during the month of September, 2012, finding new homes for 108 deserving dogs and cats.  According to department officials it is the first time the shelter has exceeded the century mark for adoptions, and continues a steady increase of adoptions during recent months.

The increased number of adoptions can be attributed to several factors, according to Animal Care and Control Division staff.  In July, the Shelter remodeled and expanded the Adoption Kennel Area from 26 to 58 kennels.  Besides adding additional kennel space for adoptions, the remodeling allowed the public to tour the adoption kennels unescorted by Animal Shelter staff.  People Assisting Animal Control (PAAC) donated two dog runs, allowing customers a safe place to get acquainted with their prospective new pets.  On September 15th, PAAC sponsored the first ever “free adoption” event at the Shelter, where PAAC paid the city adoption fees for all dogs and cats adopted during a two-hour period.  56 dogs and cats were adopted on that day alone.

Perhaps the most significant factor contributing to the increase in adoptions was the hiring of Interim Veterinarian Dr. Melissa Draper DVM in early August.  Dr. Draper has an impressive resume in shelter medicine and comes to Corpus Christi after serving as the Medical Director for the Louisiana SPCA in New Orleans.  Prior to that, Dr. Draper served as the Chief Veterinarian for the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services and the Chief Veterinarian for the Animal Defense League in San Antonio.  Dr. Draper earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science at Louisiana Tech University and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree from Louisiana State University.  Dr. Draper has already implemented numerous improvements to the standard operating procedures at the Animal Shelter, and has worked tirelessly to provide vaccinations and spay/neutering services to enable the Shelter to increase adoptions.  With her invaluable assistance, the Animal Care and Control Division hopes to continue the steady increase in adoptions and improve services to the community.

Belinda A. Beltran

Michael R. Ramirez

Occurred on 10/02/12, 2:50 p.m.  Theft~Shoplifting  5420 McArdle  1210020086

The owner of Boots ‘N Britches Western Wear reported the theft of $1,380 worth of silver jewelry by a couple who fled in a black Cadillac CTS.  A B.O.L.O. (Be On the Look Out) was issued for both the couple and vehicle.  Officers at the western wear store reviewed surveillance video of the theft and observed a woman taking several pieces of jewelry and putting them in her purse.  Her male accomplice was seen acting as the lookout.

An Officer viewing the surveillance video recognized Belinda A. Beltran (09/05/80) and her boyfriend Michael R. Ramirez (04/14/79), while another Officer provided their home address.  Officers searching for the couple found them leaving a local convenience store in the 2000 block of Morgan.

The Cadillac was pulled over at 18^th and Craig Streets and the couple was arrested. Beltran was found to have prior convictions for theft and her charge of Theft~Shoplifting was enhanced to a State Jail Felony.  Ramirez was charged with Theft~Shoplifting, a Class “A” Misdemeanor.  The jewelry was returned to Boots ‘N Britches.

Lt. T. Brown said, “This was excellent work by all officers involved.  A true team effort.”

Occurred on 10/02/12, 5:59 am  Theft/Evading Arrest  4101 S. Staples  1210020021

An Officer’s shift began earlier than expected as he rode to work early this morning when he heard a B.O.L.O. (Be On the Look Out) for a silver Chevrolet Impala involved in theft at the Wal-Mart, 4109 S. Staples Street.    The Officer observed the Impala at the Weber Road on ramp to SH 286.  The Officer advised dispatch and followed the vehicle until back-up Officers were able to assist him.

The Officers attempted to pull the vehicle over at SH 286 and Horne Road, but the driver refused to stop and continued on, exiting on Agnes Street.  The driver slowed down allowing the passenger to bail out on 14th Street.

William Sanchez (09/12/56) finally stopped at Morris and 15th Streets where he was arrested.  Sanchez was charged with Theft and Evading Arrest in a Vehicle.  Officers recovered $383 in stolen power tools and returned them to Wal-Mart.

Anyone with any additional information on the identity of the second suspect is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888TIPS or submit a tip online at www.888TIPS.com.    Tipsters will earn a cash reward if the suspect is arrested.

Ronnie Rey Rodriguez

Richard Lee Cuellar

Camilo Gonzalez

Occurred on 9/28/12, 12:48 am  Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon   1400 16th Street  1209280008

Patrol and Gang Officers were called to the area of 1400 16th Street for a drive by involving two to three vehicles possibly shooting at one another.   Several vehicle descriptions were given and an Officer responding to the area observed a vehicle driving away from the area with its headlights turned off.  The silver Chrysler Sebring was observed to be driving erratically and at high rate of speed as the Officer attempted to catch up to it.  The Officer reported an object was thrown out from the vehicle by the backseat passenger in the area of Keys and Elizabeth Streets, shortly before the Sebring stopped at 2800 Juanita.

During the traffic stop, Officers contacted three males occupants who were subsequently arrested.  The driver Camilo Gonzalez (11/13/91) was charged with Reckless Driving and Possession of Controlled Substance when a packet of Methamphetamine was found near him.  Ronnie Rey Rodriguez (05/04/92) who was seated next to the Gonzalez was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Dangerous Drug when a pill bottle containing Heroin and Methamphetamine was found where he’d been seated.  Richard Lee Cuellar (12/02/90) who was seated in the back passenger area was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.  Officers found his Texas Department of Correction identification on him along with several bullets.  The object thrown out of the Sebring by Cuellar turned out to be a handgun which was found by Gang Unit Officers.

Occurred Saturday, September 29, 2012, 21:10pm, 615 Leopard Street, Escape 1209290129

                A 30-year-old man escaped from police custody Saturday night from the Nueces County Jail.

The Corpus Christi Police transport van delivered prisoners from the Corpus Christi City Detention Center to the Nueces County Jail at about 9:10pm. One of the prisoners, Joe Hernandez (1/25/1982) escaped. Hernandez wore a gray shirt and ran toward Waco Street.

Hernandez was arrested on Padre Island at 11:58 Saturday on a traffic stop for a warrant for his arrest, driving while license suspended, and for possession of marijuana.

Hernandez is a 30-year-old Hispanic man, 5’8” tall, 180 pounds, black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information to locate Hernandez should not approach him or attempt to apprehend him, but should call Corpus Christi Police immediately at 886-2600 or call 911.

The Corpus Christi Police Patrol K9 Officer Jason Lavastida and his dog, Indy, located and captured Hernandez at 11:41pm on September 29.

Thursday September 27, 2012 10:16pm      3829 Hwy 77    Aggravated Robbery       1209270160

Officers were dispatched to the Wal-Mart reference a theft of Televisions. Upon arrival they talked to a store employee who stated that she attempted to ask a man in the parking lot pushing a shopping cart loaded with two televisions for his receipt. The male lifted his shirt to display a pistol tucked in his waistband. Another accomplice assisted the suspect in loading the televisions in silver four door Chevrolet.

Before the vehicle could leave, observant customers were able to obtain the vehicles license plate. Officers went to the 400 block of Dixon, to a home where the vehicle was registered. The vehicle was parked in front of the home. The suspect who assisted in loading the stolen televisions was found inside the house and arrested. An airsoft pistol was also located in the home. Officers have not located the televisions at this time, but some security tabs, consistent with those used by stores to protect merchandise were found discarded.

The suspect initially lied to officers about his true identity. Further investigation revealed that his true name was Jorge Calleros 11/19/74 and that he had an outstanding warrant for Robbery. He was taken to the City Detention Center for Aggravated Robbery, his outstanding warrant and Failure to Identify. The case has been assigned to the Criminal Investigative Division for further investigation.

This case is an excellent example of how our citizens can be partners in crime fighting by remaining observant about their surroundings and suspicious activity that they see.