Category Archives: Patrol Division

Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division, Patrol Division, Traffic Safety Division

CCPD Announces Holiday Season Safety Plan

The Corpus Christi Police Department has finalized its 2012 Holiday Season Safety Plan.  Working with the District Attorney’s Office, the Nueces County Sheriff’s Office, City Traffic Engineering, and the Texas Department of Transportation, the Police Department has developed a plan that will provide for both increased enforcement efforts and improved traffic flow around the busiest shopping areas. This year’s plan once again provides for increased traffic control and police presence in and around the busiest shopping areas, along with enhanced DWI enforcement throughout the city. Beginning November 23rd and continuing through December 31st, officers from several divisions will combine resources to ensure that our citizens enjoy a safe and crime-free holiday season.

Up to 26 additional officers will be redirecting their enforcement and traffic control efforts toward the busiest shopping areas in town. The officers will work staggered shifts beginning as early as 7:00 AM each day to provide additional resources to this area. Among the areas targeted for increased patrol are:

  • La Palmera Mall
  • Moore Plaza
  • Sunrise Mall
  • The Promenade (includes Toys-R-Us)
  • Gulf Way Shopping Center
  • Saratoga Town Center (includes Kohl’s)
  • Island Gateway Plaza (Best Buy, Bed Bath and Beyond, Ross Department Store)
  • Wal-Marts, Sam’s Club
  • Other busy shopping areas and restaurants along SPID

Officers from the Uniform Division, the Enduro Motorcycle Unit, CID, Gang Unit and the Directed Patrol Program will conduct frequent high visibility patrol through the parking lots of these busy shopping areas. Shoplifting, auto burglary, auto theft, purse snatching, and robbery are the most common crimes committed by those who take advantage of busy and sometimes distracted holiday shoppers. Plain clothes Detectives, including those from the Auto Theft Task Force will also be patrolling the parking lots and busy shopping areas, attempting to spot crimes in progress.

In addition to patrolling the parking lots, Auto Theft Task Force officers will deploy their “bait vehicle” in the parking lots of the busiest shopping areas. The “bait vehicle” is a specially equipped vehicle complete with sensors, video cameras, GPS tracking, and a remote ignition switch that allows officers to disable the vehicle if it is stolen or burglarized.

Throughout the holiday shopping season, Traffic officers will direct their efforts toward ensuring a safe and smooth flow of traffic into and out of the malls and other busy shopping areas.  Beginning Friday the 23rd, traffic officers will be assigned to provide traffic control and enforcement at the major intersections along SPID, as well as near the entrances and exits to the malls and major shopping centers.  Shoppers are urged to monitor the large Texas Department of Transportation message boards located along State Highway 358 (SPID) and State Highway 286 (Crosstown Expressway) for important notices regarding current driving conditions, traffic crashes, and potential alternative routes.  The City Traffic Engineering Department will also be deploying at least two portable electronic message boards to communicate important traffic information to the motoring public. In addition, there will be an increased emphasis on the use traffic cones, delineators and similar traffic control devices to help maintain a smooth flow of traffic into and out of busy shopping locations.  Drivers are urged to drive alertly and be prepared to follow these devices.

Alternative Routes to Major Shopping Centers

With the increased amount of vehicular traffic around the malls during this time of the year, traffic crashes also typically increase proportionally.  Construction on South Staples Street between Williams Drive and Saratoga Boulevard is only expected to exacerbate the problems of traffic congestion and traffic crashes. As a result, shoppers this year are encouraged to take several steps to ensure their shopping trip is accident free:

  • Plan ahead.
  • Leave early.
  • Avoid major thoroughfares and intersections if possible.
  • Utilize less traveled alternate routes.
  • Watch for construction signs and workers.
  • Monitor and follow directions on message boards
  • Watch for traffic cones, delineators and other traffic control devices.
  • Be especially cautious and look out for Officers directing traffic.  Slow down and follow directions.
  • Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you.
  • Avoid distractions in your vehicle.
  • Always wear your safety belts.
  • Follow CCPD on Twitter (Corpus Christi Police @CorpusChristiPD)

In addition to the Police Department’s two full time DWI Officers, a State grant reimburses overtime costs to hire an additional 3 officers, allowing the department to place as many five officers at any one time on the street to concentrate solely on DWI enforcement.

 

Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division, Delta District, Patrol Division

Man Wanted for Murder Turns Himself In

Jose Angel Macias Jr.

The Corpus Christi Homicide/Robbery Bureau investigated the shooting death of a 21-year-old man on November 18, 2012 at 11:49am.  With the assistance of the community and the tips called in to Crime Stoppers, Detectives were able to identify the suspects involved and obtain a Murder warrant for an 18-year-old man.

Jose Angel Macias (03/16/94) turned himself in to the City Detention Center on 11/20/20 at 12:40am.  He was booked and charged with the outstanding Murder warrant.  His bond was set at 200,000.

For additional informational, please view the original CCPD Blotter post at http://wp.me/p1D8kP-2Lq.

Charlie District, Patrol Division

Police Arrest Woman After 8am Crash For DWI With A 2 Year Old Passenger

Occurred Tuesday, November 13, 2012, 8:00am, Saratoga Blvd. at Staples St. Driving While Intoxicated, 1211130022

                A 22-year-old woman was arrested Tuesday morning for driving while intoxicated after she was involved in a vehicle crash with her two-year old son as a passenger.

A person called Corpus Christi Police and followed a green 1997 Dodge Ram pickup truck which swerved through lanes of traffic, then struck construction signs on Staples Street. The truck eventually struck a stopped car on Weber near South Padre Island Drive. The truck pulled into a parking lot and Corpus Christi Police Officers arrived.

The driver of the truck, 22-year-old Julie Cantu (5/3/1990) was not injured in the crash and displayed indications that she was intoxicated. The investigating patrol officer also discovered a two-year old passenger in the back seat of the truck. The child was not harmed.

The officer called for family members to pick up the child. Cantu was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated with a Child Passenger, a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Cantu was taken to the hospital for a medical clearance and then delivered to the city detention center.

Bravo District, Patrol Division

Police Arrest Two Men For Overnight Theft At Bill Witt Park

Occurred Wednesday, November 14, 2012, 00:48, 6869 Yorktown Blvd. Theft 1211140007

                Two men were arrested Wednesday morning for stealing wire from the Bill Witt Park on Yorktown Boulevard.

A Corpus Christi Police Patrol Officer went into Bill Witt Park at about 12:45am and found two men next to a blue 2003 Ford F-150 pickup truck and a green 2003 Toyota Tacoma. The officer met the men and informed them they were in violation of the city park curfew. The trucks had copper wire in the beds of the trucks and the patrol officer found drag marks from several man holes in the parks.

The officer discovered as much as 900 feet of wire was taken from the park. John Lewis (1/19/1981) was arrested for a Nueces County Warrant for burglary to a motor vehicle. Lewis was additionally charged with the violation of park curfew and for theft of metal.

Charles Carter (8/12/1974) was arrested for the theft of metal and for violation of park curfew. The theft of metal charge is a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. The two trucks were impounded and the two men were delivered to the city detention center.

Community Outreach, Patrol Division, Traffic Safety Division

Three Days Left to Enter CCPD’s Anti D.W.I. Slogan and Art Contest

The Corpus Christi Police Department would like to remind all Corpus Christi High School students between 15-18 years of age that the Anti DWI Slogan and Art Contest will end on  November 12, 2012.  The winners will receive a new iPad and have their entry displayed on a billboard in Corpus Christi.

The contest is to design a new anti-drunk driving advertising campaign. Contest winners will be in two categories; for the best slogan and for the best two-dimensional artwork. The contest entries must be submitted to the High School the student attends or to the Police Department no later than November 12, 2012.

The contest entries will be judged by a group designated by Police Chief Floyd Simpson. Judges will not know the name of the contestant nor will they know which school the student attends when the contest entries are judged. The two first place winners will receive iPads. The second place winners will receive iPod touches, and the third place winners will receive iPod nanos. The contest winners will have their entry displayed on billboards in Corpus Christi through the month of December.

The contest is open to all students of a High School in Corpus Christi or accredited home school in Corpus Christi. Those interested in the contest should visit www.cctexas.com/police/contest.html for information and to download an entry form.

This is an opportunity for new drivers to use their creativity to make the streets a safer place to drive.

Bravo District, Patrol Division

Two 18-Year-Olds Charged with Auto Burglary

Bruce Garcia
Adolfo Huerta

Occurred on 11/09/12, 01:41am Burglary of a Vehicle     6200 Vincent     1211090013 / C1208549

Officers responded to the 6200 block of Vincent for an auto burglary in progress.  The caller stated two Hispanic males were driving away in a light-colored truck and provided the truck’s license plate. The suspects were last seen on westbound on Erskine Drive.

An off-duty Corpus Christi Independent School District Police Officer observed the truck at the intersection of Airline Road and S. Padre Island Drive and recognized one of the occupants later identified as Adolfo Huerta. An Officer was able to find the truck and pull it over at Gollihar Road and Ayers Street.

Adolfo Huerta (10/18/94) and Bruce Garcia (12/18/93) were detained. Further investigation revealed, the suspects had burglarized several vehicles in the area and struck a neighbor’s vehicle as they fled.  Officers were able to match the property found in the vehicle to property reported stolen by the victims.

The property consisted of tools, electronic equipment, jewelry, and a gun.  The recovered stolen property was tagged as evidence and will be returned to the owners.

Officers were able to track some of the items to several different addresses in the Airline area.  If you have been a victim of an auto burglary in the area, please file a police report a report online at www.ccpolice.com or with our Telephone Reporting Unit at 361-886-2600.

Delta District, Patrol Division

Neighbors Call Police And Catch A Burglar On Atlantic Street

Occurred Wednesday, November 07, 2012, 10:13am, 700 Atlantic Street, Burglary of a Habitation 1211070047

                A 30-year-old man was arrested Wednesday morning for Burglary of a Habitation on the 700 block of Atlantic.

A 63-year-old woman called police at about 10am to report a man who jumped a fence at her neighbor’s house. The 63-year-old woman and a 51-year-old man told the responding Corpus Christi Police Officer that the man who jumped the fence had a bag and left toward Staples Street.

The Police Officer went to Staples Street and saw 30-year-old Richard Cavada (4/27/1982) run on Sixteenth Street near Staples Street. Cavada had a gym bag and matched the description provided by the 51-year-old man and the 63-year-old woman.

The officer discovered property that was later reported as stolen. The investigating officers discovered a broken back door to a residence and the home owner identified property that was missing from inside the home.

Cavada was arrested for Burglary of a Habitation, a second degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.  Cavada also was arrested for a Municipal Court Warrant for failure to appear.

Adam District, Patrol Division

Potential Bank Robber Flees When Unable To Enter Bank

Occurred Wednesday, November, 7, 2012, 11:43am, 10838 Leopard Street, Attempted Robbery, 1211070054

                Corpus Christi Police are searching for a man who attempted to rob the Capitol One Bank on Leopard Wednesday morning.

A man walked up to the First Capitol Bank on Leopard Street at 11:43am. The man wore a khaki hat, a green bandana that covered his face, a dark shirt, green shorts, white socks and shoes. The man pulled on the door handle, but the magnetic lock was active for the door. The tellers inside the bank saw the man had his face covered, so the tellers refused to allow the man to enter the bank.

The man pulled on the door several times, and then walked away. No person was injured, and no property was taken. The man held his hand in his pocket through the whole event, but did not display a weapon.

Corpus Christi Police now seek the white or Hispanic man believed to be between forty to fifty years of age. The man will be charged with Attempted Robbery if he is apprehended. Corpus Christi Police Robbery/Homicide Detectives hope to obtain video surveillance recording of the man. Anyone who has additional information about this crime should call the Corpus Christi Police Robbery/Homicide Detectives at 886-2841.

Charlie District, Patrol Division

Police Arrest Three Men For Fight At Nightclub on Everhart

Occurred Wednesday, November 07, 2012, 2:08am, 4653 Everhart Road, Public Intoxication/Resisting Arrest, 1211070007, 08, & 10

                Three men were arrested Wednesday morning in the parking lot of a night club after attempting to fight several people including police officers.

Several Corpus Christi Police Patrol Officers went to the parking lot of Ropers Night Club to monitor the safety of the crowd. The officers saw a 25-year-old man, Jaime Salazar (11/6/1987) yell at another man in an attempt to fist fight. The officers intervened to stop any action of violence and were approached by 28-year-old Joel Salazar who told the officers that he had control of Jaime and would leave the parking lot.

Officers allowed Joel to escort Jaime until Jaime was left alone by Joel and the threat of violence surfaced again. Corpus Christi Police Officers then arrested Jaime for public intoxication and Jaime resisted the arrest. Joel then interfered in the arrest and was then arrested for Public Intoxication, Resisting arrest, and then for four warrants for his arrest.

While officers struggled to arrest Joel, a third person, 34-year-old Juan Salazar, interfered in the arrest. Juan swung a closed fist at one of the officers and the officers electronic control device was used to apprehend Juan. Juan was arrested and all three were delivered to the city detention center.

Bravo District, Patrol Division

Police Arrest Two Men For Flour Bluff Burglary

Occurred Monday, November 5, 2012, 22:03, 3122 Laguna Shores Road, Burglary of a Habitation 1211050171

                Two men were arrested Monday night for burglary of a habitation in Flour Bluff after the two men were accused of taking an air compressor from an open garage.

A 57-year-old man told a Corpus Christi Police Officer that his air compressor valued at $350 was taken without permission from his garage by two men. The 57-year-old man said he was outside his home with another person when he saw a man walk up to the house, take the air compressor, and then leave in a white 1999 Ford Expedition. The 57-year-old man provided a description of the men and the vehicle they used.

The Corpus Christi Police Officer who took the report recognized the description of the suspects as people with whom the officer has had previous contact. The officer went to the 2500 block of Lorine Drive in Flour Bluff to contact the two potential suspects.

The officer discovered the stolen air compressor and arrested 41-year-old Gary Lawrence (9/19/1971) and 42-year-old Leonard Simmons (10/28/1970) for Burglary of a Habitation.

The air compressor was returned to the owner and the two suspects were delivered to the city detention center.