Category Archives: Delta District

Delta District, Traffic Safety Division

Arrest Made In Hit And Run Fatality on BrownLee Blvd.

Occurred February 16, 2012 Fatality Hit and Run Case # 1202160148 & C1201201 –Update

Corpus Christi Police Investigators have identified the person responsible for the hit and run crash that resulted in the death of 40-year-old Rudy Garcia.

Rudy Garcia rode a bicycle on the 200 block of BrownLee Boulevard on Thursday, February 16, 2012. Garcia was struck from behind by a truck and Garcia did not survive the crash.

Corpus Christi investigators collected evidence from the crime scene and used trace analysis to identify clues. The investigators identified specific parts of a vehicle damaged in the crash and then called vendors that sold those specific parts. More information from the public was collected by investigators and a suspect was identified.

Corpus Christi Police obtained a warrant for arrest for Antonio Alamo (6/2/1973) on Friday, March 23, 2012. Alamo was arrested and has a $100,000 bond for an Accident Involving Personal Injury Or Death.

The Texas Transportation Code section 550.021 provides the requirements for this type of event. The code states the operator of a vehicle involved in a accident that results in the inury or death of a person shall stop and report the crash to emergency responders. Failure to report the crash which results in a death is a third degree felony which is punishable by up to 10 years inprisonment and up to a $10,000 fine.

Delta District

Driver in Hit & Run Flees, Leaves Injured Passenger Behind

Occurred on 3/21/12, 1:40 a.m.    Major Accident/Possession of Marijuana  Brawner Parkway and Greengrove   C1202138/1203210006

Officers responding to a Hit and Run accident arrived to find the driver had fled on foot from the accident scene.  The 25-year-old front seat passenger was injured and left behind. 

Further investigation revealed the driver of a silver 2008  Honda Ridgeline pick-up truck was traveling south bound on Greengrove and attempted to turn onto Brawner Parkway when it lost control and crashed into a telephone pole.

The 25-year-old male sustained a laceration to his forehead when he struck the windshield upon impact.  He was taken to Spohn Memorial for medical treatment.

While impounding the vehicle, Officers discovered a scale and a quantity of Marijuana along with a $2,054 in U.S. currency. 

A dual investigation into the Hit & Run and ownership of the drugs and money will continue by both the Traffic Division and the Narcotics and Vice Division. 

Anyone with any information concerning this crime is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS  or submit a tip via the internet at www.888tips.com.

Delta District

Detectives Asking the Public’s Assistance in Investigation

Occurred on 3/20/12, 8:46 p.m.   Aggravated Sexual Assault   Sam Rankin and Brewster   1203200131

Corpus Christi Police Homicide/Robbery Detectives are currently investigating the sexual assault of a 35-year-old female who was badly beaten.  The assualt occurred in the area of Sam Rankin and Brewster Street.

Detectives are currently investigating the assault and urge anyone with any information concerning this crime to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit a tip via the internet at www.888tips.com.

Delta District

Narcotics Officers Seize $35,000 in Hydro~Marijuana

 

 Occurred on 3/20/12, 8:26 p.m.   Possession of Marijuana   1526 Melbourne   1203200128  

The CCPD Narcotics Vice Investigation Division served a search warrant at 1526 Melbourne where they found a marijuana grow operation.

Officers seized approximately seven pounds of Hydro Marijuana valued at $35,000, $2,750 in U.S. currency, and one handgun.

 Abraham Herrera (02/29/80) was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana.

Delta District

9-Month-Old Kidnapping Victim Returned Uninjured After Kidnapper Arrested

Occurred on 3/19/12, 5:28 p.m.   Kidnapping/Burglary of a Habitation  3002 Antelope   1203190127

The Corpus Christi Police Department arrested Cordera Ray Walton (07/18/88) for the kidnapping of a 9-month-old infant female.

On March 19, 2012, at approximately 5:28 p.m. the police department received a 911 call reporting a kidnapping of a 9-month-old baby from the Spanish Oaks Apartment complex.  The victim’s grandfather told Officers, Walton and another male pushed their way into the home and assaulted him. 

Both men left in a gold 2000 Chevrolet Suburban taking the child with them.  An intense search for the child proved fruitful when the vehicle and Walton were located at the 1100 block of Josephine Street. 

Walton was taken into custody and the child who was uninjured was later taken back to Spanish Oaks by a family member. 

Walton was arrested and charged with Burglary of a Habitation Intending Other Felony and Kidnapping.  He is currently booked at the City Detention Center.

The Corpus Christi Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to this crime to contact the Criminal Investigation Division at 361-886-2841.  Callers can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS.

Delta District

Husband & Wife Hospitialized After Party Comes to a Violent End

Occurred on 3/18/12, 04:30 am   Aggravated Assault   112 Blevins   1203180035 

Officers responded earlier to the residence for a disturbance, but prior to the Officers arrival, the suspects left in a pick-up truck.  A later call for police assistance advised the suspects had returned and several shots had been fired. 

Officers arrived to find a very chaotic scene with several hysterical family members assisting a 33-year-old Hispanic male who been beaten and left lying in the street. 

The victim’s wife told Officers they were leaving the residence when a pick-up truck blocked their exit and two men dragged her husband from the truck.  The men began to hit the victim with a baseball bat and a crowbar. As the victim’s wife hurried to help her husband, one of the males pulled a handgun and began firing.  She was struck once on her back as she ran away. 

Both victims were taken to Spohn Memorial with non-life threatening injuries. 

One suspect was described as a 36-year-old Hispanic male, 5’11” feet tall, and weighing 240 lbs.  The second suspect was described only as a Hispanic male.  Both fled in an older pick-up truck.  

Anyone having information regarding this crime is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or call the Corpus Christi Police Department Homicide/Robbery Bureau at 361-886-2841.

Delta District

Victim Robbed in Early Morning Trip to Laundry Mat

Occurred on 3/18/12, 07:30 a.m.  Robbery   3700 Leopard   120318044 

Officers responded the Woodlawn Shopping Center and contacted the 52-year-old victim who reported he was in the laundry mat when two persons asked him for directions. 

The New York native was unable to provide directions, but was able to pull a map up on his phone and show it to the suspects.  As they were talking near the suspects’ vehicle, one of them grabbed his phone and they began drive off in a blue Ford Explorer.  

The victim grabbed the phone and hung on to the sports utility vehicle as it sped off.  He was dragged 40 to 60 feet before he fell off.  The victim sustained minor scrapes to his face, arms, and legs.  He refused to be taken to the hospital for medical treatment, but was treated at the scene, by CCFD Emergency Personnel.  He was later escorted to the Spohn Memorial by Officers. 

The suspect is described as a Hispanic female, 22 to 27 years of age, 5’5” feet tall, and weighing 130 lbs.  She was accompanied by a Hispanic male, 24 to 28 years of age, and weighing 200 to 230 lbs. He was last seen wearing a black shirt and pants. 

Anyone with any information regarding this crime can call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or the Corpus Christi Police Department Homicide/Robbery Bureau at 361-886-2841.

Criminal Investigations Division, Delta District

Update on In-Custody Death

On Sunday February 12th at about 2:14 AM, the Corpus Christi Police Department and the Corpus Christi Fire Department were called to a home in the 1700 block of Morales to assist a man who was reportedly having difficulty breathing. The responding public safety personnel discovered a 48-year-old man displaying obvious signs of medical distress.  Sr. Officer Mike Wertanen and Officer Brandon Cordell assisted the medics by restraining the man and placing him in handcuffs.  This allowed the medics to provide emergency medical treatment.  Medics subsequently transported the man by ambulance to Christus Spohn Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. 

Today, March 15, 2012, the Nueces County Medical Examiner ruled the death as a homicide.  Although a homicide means that the nature of the death was not natural, it does not indicate the death was caused by any wrongdoing.

The Corpus Christi Police Department Criminal Investigation Division will continue with the investigation into the matter.  Once the investigation is complete, the case will be presented to the grand jury.  This is the standard procedure in all in-custody deaths.

As is also standard procedure, an internal administrative review that was started immediately following the event will continue.  This review will determine if the policies and procedures of the Corpus Christi Police Department were followed.

The Officers involved will remain on restricted duty pending the outcome of the investigation and the ruling by the Grand Jury.

Information released on February 15, 2012 by the Corpus Christi Police Department

Corpus Christi Police Department Homicide Detectives are continuing their investigation into the death of a 48 year-old man who died following a struggle with police officers and medics early Sunday morning at a home in the 1700 block of Morales Street. On Sunday February 12th at about 2:14 AM, the Corpus Christi Police Department and the Corpus Christi Fire Department were called to the home to assist a man who was reportedly having difficulty breathing. The responding public safety personnel discovered a 48-year-old man displaying obvious signs of medical distress. Before he could be treated, the man began struggling with the medics. Officers assisted the medics by restraining the man and placing him in handcuffs. Officers did not deploy their Tasers nor utilize pepper spray to subdue the man. After being handcuffed, the man suddenly quit breathing. Officers immediately removed the handcuffs so the medics could begin CPR. Medics then rushed the man by ambulance to Christus Spohn Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Homicide Detectives are continuing to interview witnesses to the incident, including family members and the emergency personnel who responded to the scene. The Nueces County Medical Examiner’s Office has completed an autopsy on the man, but the final report has not yet been released pending the results of certain tests. Two of the responding Officers have been placed on Administrative Leave, which is standard Police Department procedure in all such instances. They are Senior Officer Mike Wertanen, a 22 year veteran of the Police Department, and Officer Brandon Cordell, who has four years with CCPD. The Officers will remain on leave pending the outcome of a thorough investigation by the Criminal Investigation Division. Once the investigation is completed it will be submitted to the District Attorneys Office and presented to the Grand Jury, which is standard procedure in all in-custody deaths.

 Note: Click here to see the original information released by the Corpus Christi Police Department http://wp.me/p1D8kP-11H

Delta District

Several Arrested After Fights on The Beach

Occurred March 13, 2012 6:40pm Interference with Public Duties/resisting Arrest; Warrant for arrest, 1203130127, 1203130108

Two people were arrested at Beach Marker 206 Tuesday after several fights. Police responded to several fights on the beach and discovered an injured man who lay on the beach in a crowd. The crowd would not provide room for the away from the injured man to allow medical staff to treat the injuries, so Police Officers picked up the injured man to move him to a safe place for treatment.

Twenty Three year old Dustin Jones (8/18/1988) moved between emergency staff and the injured man preventing any treatment. Jones asked repeatedly to know who caused the injuries and announced retaliation. Jones was told by police to provide room to allow treatment; but Jones refused. Jones was told he was under arrest for interference with public duties and Jones caused a physical confrontation with the police officers. Jones was arrested for Interference with Public Duties, a Class B misdemeanor offense, and for Resist Arrest, Search, or Transport, a Class A Misdemeanor offense.

Police identified 18-year-old Timothy Thompson (1/26/1994) involved in the disturbance at Beach Marker 206 and discovered Thompson had an active warrant for his arrest so Thompson was arrested.

Criminal Investigations Division, Delta District

Please Help Us Find Missing Person Julia Ruiz

The Corpus Christi Police Department Homicide/Robbery Bureau is asking the public’s assistance in locating 59-year-old Julia Ruiz who was reported missing on March 13, 2012.  Ruiz’ ex-husband told Officers he last saw her on Sunday, March 11 when he stopped by to visit.  CCPD Case number: 1203130095

He told Officers he went to pick up dinner and when he returned she was gone.  Julia Ruiz suffers from a medical condition and is on prescribed medication which was left behind. 

Julia  is a five feet tall Hispanic female who weighs 170 lbs.  She has short brown wavy hair and pierced ears.  Julia was last seen wearing a purple nightgown. 

Anyone having any information regarding this Missing Person is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or Corpus Christi Police Department Homicide/Robbery Detective R.L. Garcia at 361-886-2850.