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.

On February 13th, Corpus Christi Police Senior Officer Enrique Roman, 29, was seriously injured while he investigated a motor vehicle accident on the 5000 block of S. Padre Island Drive. Roman was standing near the passenger door of one of the wrecked cars parked on the side of the freeway, when he was struck by a stray wheel and tire that apparently became dislodged from a passing vehicle.  Roman was rushed by ambulance to Christus Spohn Memorial Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery.  He is currently in the Intensive Care Unit, but expected to recuperate completely and eventually return to full duty.  The entire Corpus Christi Police Department family extends their best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery to Officer Roman.

Senior Officer Roman is a seven-year-veteran of the police department and was recently selected as a Field Training Officer. Roman had recently received a commendation for his work with the students of San Pedro Elementary in Robstown, Texas.

CCPD Traffic Investigators believe the tire came off a large construction type trailer, likely one with dual wheels on both sides.  Investigators believe the vehicle was entering the Everhart Road on-ramp when the wheel and tire broke loose, striking Officer Roman.  According to the Traffic Investigators, it is quite likely that the driver of the vehicle didn’t notice the missing wheel and tire until he/she reached his/her final destination.  The Traffic Investigators do not believe there was any criminal intent to avoid stopping and rendering aid, based on their preliminary investigation, but are asking the responsible driver to come forward so they can complete the crash investigation. Anyone with information regarding this accident is encouraged to call Traffic Investigator S. Leeton at 361-886-2689.

This accident, although extremely rare, underscores the danger Police Officers and Fire Fighters face on a daily basis while directing traffic or responding  to wrecks on our streets and highways.

The Texas Legislature recognized these dangers and as a result  approved the “move over” law which went into effect on September 1, 2003.  This law requires drivers to move over to the left away from the lane closest to the emergency vehicle.  If unable to do so, drivers should slow down to 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit.  All police vehicles, ambulances, or fire vehicles are covered under this law.

The “move over” law was passed  to make it safer for Officers and Emergency Personnel to work accidents and enforce traffic laws on our roadways without the added concern of being struck down by passing motorists.

According to the Officer Down Memorial Page,  60 Law Enforcement Officers died last year in vehicle related incidents, four  of which were struck by a vehicle and twelve killed by vehicular assault.  The roadways proved equally deadly for Texas Police Officers in 2011, with seven of the thirteen Officers killed in the line of duty as a result of motor vehicle related incidents.

Occurred on 2/5/12 02:38 a.m.  Aggravated Assault    929 S Alameda     1202050021

Officers contacted a 24-year-old male who reported he was sleeping when he was awakened by someone hitting him with a metal object.  The victim told Officers he dragged himself outside when the suspect left and yelled for help.

Witnesses called police for assistance, reporting the victim was severely beaten up and needed medical assistance.  The victim was taken to Spohn Memorial by CCFD Emergency Personnel with serious injuries.

The victim was only able to tell Officers he’d been assaulted by a male.  No other suspect description available at this time.

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 at 361-886-2841.

Occurred on 2/3/12, 11:58 p.m.  Driving  While Intoxicated  2900 Houston     1202030004/C1200787   

An Officer arriving to a traffic accident was directed by witnesses to a Hispanic male who was staggering down the street.  Cresencio Nunez-Perez (02/13/83) who appeared to be very intoxicated was detained.

Further investigation revealed Nunez-Perez was traveling westbound on Houston when he lost control of his gray 1999 Ford Ranger pick-up truck striking a sewer manhole, breaking the cover.  Nunez-Perez drove back across the street, striking the fence and clipping the porch at 2937 Houston.                

Nunez-Perez was administered Standard Field Sobriety Tests and a Blood Draw.  He was medically cleared and arrested.  Nunez-Perez was charged with Driving While Intoxicated.

Occurred on 2/2/12, 10:11 p.m.  Aggravated Robbery   2501 Headley Street    1202020139

Officers contacted the 79-year-old victim who reported he allowed two females into his residence to use the bathroom when one of them robbed him.  The elderly male told Officers, the female pulled a knife and demanded his wallet.  He complied and was uninjured during the robbery, but felt threatened for his safety.        

Further investigation revealed the suspect with the knife had cleaned his apartment before.  She is described as a Hispanic female, 30 to 40 years of age, 5’2” to 5’6” and weighing 150 to 160 lbs.  She was last wearing blue jeans and a pink t-shirt. 

The second suspect is also described as a chunky Hispanic female, 30 to 40 years of age, 5’2” to 5’8” and weighing 180 to 190 lbs.  She was also wearing blue jeans and a brown t-shirt. Both females were last seen running east on Headley Street.     

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 at 361-886-2841.

Occurred on 2/1/12, 6:13 p.m.  Graffiti   2920 Soledad Street   1202010106

Officers contacted several juveniles, ages 13 and 14 years of age by one of the buildings.  All four were sitting by their “artwork” with several large markers lying on the ground amongst them.

Further investigation revealed the juveniles were responsible for the vandalism.  A Corpus Christi Independent School District employee estimated the damage at $2,000.

All four were placed in placed in police custody and booked at the Nueces County Juvenile Justice Center.  They were charged with Graffiti on School Property, a State Jail Felony.

Occurred on 2/1/12, 2:25 p.m.  Wanted Subject   N. Alameda & Mussett Streets    1202010077

Officer A. Leal pulled over Antonio Hernandez Jr. (05/23/49) for an expired inspection sticker.

Hernandez was found to have an outstanding warrant out of the Riverside County for a sex offense.  He was arrested and charged with the outstanding warrant which had a 1,000,000 Bond.