Occurred on 4/12/12, 8:50 pm   Pedestrian Accident   43200 Leopard Street C1202790

An Officer responding to a 911 call in which a nine-year-old called police due to his parents fighting was involved in an accident with a pedestrian who failed to cross at a marked cross walk.

The 43-year-old pedestrian attempted to cross the street as the Officer was traveling westbound on Leopard.  The Officer swerved to avoid hitting the male, but the mirror of the police vehicle struck the pedestrian. 

The male sustained minor injuries, but refused to be treated by CCFD Emergency Personnel. 

Neither the Officer, nor the pedestrian has been cited, but the accident is still under investigation by Traffic Investigators.

Occurred March April 11, 2012, 12:05 am   Robbery   2000 Red Oak    1204110001

Five people were arrested for aggravated robbery overnight in Flour Bluff after they posed as stranded motorists and robbed the man who stopped to help.

A 19-year-old man was on his way home from work at midnight when he saw a red 2000 Ford Escort stopped on the 2000 block of Red Oak. The Escort had the hood raised and a man outside the vehicle waved at the 19-year-old for help. The 19-year-old man stopped to help and was asked to provide a jump-start. The 19-year-old placed his car face to face with the Escort and exited his vehicle.

The man who posed as a stranded motorist then pointed a pistol and demanded the victim’s wallet and valuables. Several others exited the Escort and took the keys to the victim’s car and then the group fled in the Escort after taking the valuables. No one was injured in this event.

Corpus Christi Police Officers located the red Escort on Glenoak Drive. Police captured the seven participants to the robbery and recovered the valuables.

20-year-old Joshua Daniel Freeman (1/24/1992), 18-year-old Rene Robinson (1/11/1994), 20-year-old Amber Flores (2/1/1992), 21-year-old Gilbert Gomez (12/10/1990), 17-year-old Keanu Davis (10/25/1994), were arrested for Aggravated Robbery and Unlawful Carrying of Weapons then delivered to the city detention center. 

Joshua Daniel Freeman misidentified himself as Anthony Trevino, while Rene Robinson misidentified himself as Johnny Robinson.  Both were additionally charged with Failure to Identify.  Neither Anthony Trevino nor Johnny Robinson were involved in the Robbery.

The Aggravated Robbery charge is a 1^st degree felony punishable by up to 99 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. The Unlawful Carrying of Weapons is a Class A Misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine. The Failure to Identify is a Class B Misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail and up to a $2,000 fine.

Corpus Christi Police recommend calling police if you see a stranded motorist to avoid a criminal opportunity.

Occurred April 10, 2012

On April 3rd, 2012 the Corpus Christi Police Department obtained information that a CCPD officer had allegedly engaged in an improper relationship with an underage teenage girl.  A criminal investigation was launched immediately by the Corpus Christi Police Department Criminal Investigation Division.  Chief of Police Floyd Simpson placed the accused officer, Robert McChester, on administrative leave later the same day, pending the outcome of the investigation.

During the course of their investigation CCPD Detectives discovered evidence that McChester had utilized the Internet to engage in illicit communications with the victim, a violation of federal statutes. On April 9th, CID presented the findings of the investigation to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agents with the Department of Homeland Security, who adopted the case for federal prosecution.

On Tuesday afternoon, ICE Agents arrested McChester, charging him with Online Solicitation of a Minor.  He will be arraigned today in Federal Court.

McChester, a four and a half year veteran of the Police Department, remains on administrative leave, while the department continues with the disciplinary review process; that process could result in discipline up to termination.

“We are ready, willing and able to clean our own house,” said Police Chief Floyd Simpson during a news conference Tuesday evening at the police station.  Chief Simpson made it clear that although the allegations were disturbing, the Police Department would continue to be open and honest with the public when it comes to alleged officer misbehavior; “When we mess up, we fess up and then we clean up. Then we move forward”, said Simpson.

Occurred on 4/10/12, 12:05 am   Aggravated Kidnapping    4502 Ayers     1204100006

Officers contacted the 29-year-old victim who reported she was kidnapped when her shift ended a local Stripes Convenience Store.  The victim told Officers, she was getting into her pick-up truck when a Hispanic male forced his way into the truck at gunpoint.

The suspect pointed the firearm at the victim and ordered her to drive him toward the Los Encinos neighborhood.  The victim was offered beer and drugs by the suspect who appeared to be under the influence of drugs.  The suspect was finally dropped off in the are of S. Padre Island Drive and Carroll Lane.

The frightened victim who was uninjured, drove home and called police.  Officers searched the area for a dark-skinned Hispanic male, 26 to 28 year of age, 5’4″ to 5’5″ feet tall and weighing 150 to 160 lbs.  The suspect, possibly named “Ray” was last seen wearing a white plaid shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone having any information regarding this crime is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or the Corpus Christi Police Department Homicide/Robbery Bureau.

The Corpus Christi Police Department Citizens Police Academy Alumni will hold a fundraising Waffle Breakfast Saturday, April 7^th at the First Christian Church, 3401 Santa Fe Street from 8:00 to 11:00 AM.  For a $6.00 donation, diners will receive a large, fluffy waffle along with a serving of sausage and their choice of juice, milk or coffee.

Besides the delicious breakfast, the CPAA has a host of activities planned for young and old. There will be a silent auction; clowns will be on hand to entertain the youngsters; free children’s ID/fingerprinting will also be available; and members of the CCPD Auto Theft Task force will be on hand to provide free VIN etching.

All proceeds from this fundraiser will go to benefit the officers of the Corpus Christi Police Department.  Each year, the CPAA hosts several fundraisers designed to raise additional funds to purchase equipment not provided for in the Department’s budget.  In past years, the CPAA has donated digital cameras, voice recorders, rescue tools; flags for the CCPD Honor Guard, trauma kits, and other needed items.

So come on out, enjoy a great breakfast, and help the Citizens Police Academy Alumni in their efforts to support our officers!

Occurred April 4, 2012 1:30 PM   Reported April 4, 2012 11:00 PM   2500 Block of Tulane Terroristic Threats  1204040149

An 18 year-old woman told police that at approximately 1:30 PM Wednesday she received a text message from a friend warning her of possible threats made by unknown suspects against attendees at a protest earlier in the day in the 2500 block of Waldron Road.  According to the woman, her friend sent her a text that stated that the girlfriend of the friend’s cousin reportedly overheard a conversation that suspects unknown were threatening to shoot anyone who attended an afternoon protest.  The woman was unable to provide the officer with the name of the girlfriend whom allegedly overheard the conversation.  It is unknown at this point whether the conversation was between the suspects, or simply two individuals engaging in gossip.  The Criminal Investigation Division is investigating.